Oceanic carbon dioxide uptake in a model of century-scale global warming
- Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
In a model of ocean-atmosphere interaction that excluded biological processes, the oceanic uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) was substantially reduced in scenarios involving global warming relative to control scenarios. The primary reason for the reduced uptake was the weakening or collapse of the ocean thermohaline circulation. Such a large reduction in this ocean uptake would have a major impact o the future growth rate of atmospheric CO{sub 2}. Model simulations that include a simple representation of biological processes show a potentially large offsetting effect resulting from the downward flux of biogenic carbon. However, the magnitude of the offset is difficult to quantify with present knowledge. 19 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 458873
- Journal Information:
- Science, Vol. 274, Issue 5291; Other Information: PBD: 22 Nov 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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