Background levels and biogeochemical cycle of CO/sub 2/ in the Arctic. Multimedia monitoring requirements

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6092890

Kelley, J J

The historical development of the monitoring of CO/sub 2/ concentration in the atmosphere is traced, particularly for the Arctic. Long-term measurements in the Arctic show a secular increase of 1.2 ppm year by volume, and a seasonal oscillation in atmospheric CO/sub 2/. In May and early June CO/sub 2/ reaches very high concentrations at the ground surface, 1200 ppm, with soil temperatures at or below zero C. CO/sub 2/ released from the surface first 30 cm of tundra soil ranges between 500 to 90,000 L per ha. Few measurements exist for CO/sub 2/ concentrations in Arctic ice, seawater and surface water, but observations suggest that the frozen polar seas and lands may prove to be important sources and sinks for trace gases.

• Research Organization: Naval Arctic Research Lab., Barrow, AK (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6092890
• Report Number(s): N-8312606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ARCTIC REGIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
CARBON DIOXIDE
MONITORING
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
FUNGI
PERMAFROST
POLLUTION
SEAWATER
SOILS
TUNDRA
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLAR REGIONS
VARIATIONS
WATER
500100* - Environment
Atmospheric- Basic Studies- (-1989)