Directly to content
  1. Publishing |
  2. Search |
  3. Browse |
  4. Recent items rss |
  5. Open Access |
  6. Jur. Issues |
  7. DeutschClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Radiocarbon evidence for a smaller oceanic carbon dioxide sink than previously believed

Hesshaimer, Vago ; Heimann, Martin ; Levin, Ingeborg

In: Nature , 370 (1994), Nr. 21. pp. 201-203

[thumbnail of HesshaimerNAT1994.pdf]
Preview
PDF, English
Download (180kB) | Terms of use

Citation of documents: Please do not cite the URL that is displayed in your browser location input, instead use the DOI, URN or the persistent URL below, as we can guarantee their long-time accessibility.

Abstract

Radiocarbon produced naturally in the upper atmosphere or artificially during nuclear weapons testing is the main tracer used to validate models of oceanic carbon cycling, in particular the exchange of carbon dioxide with the atmosphere and the mixing parameters within the ocean itself. Here we test the overall consistency of exchange fluxes between all relevant compartments in a simple model of the global carbon cycle, using measurements of the long-term tropospheric CO2 concentration and radiocarbon composition, the bomb 14C inventory in the stratosphere and a compilation of bomb detonation dates and strengths. We find that to balance the budget, we must invoke an extra source to account for 25% of the generally accepted uptake of bomb 14C by the oceans. The strength of this source decreases from 1970 onwards, with a characteristic timescale similar to that of the ocean uptake. Significant radiocarbon transport from the remote high stratosphere and significantly reduced uptake of bomb 14C by the biosphere can both be ruled out by observational constraints. We therefore conclude that the global oceanic bomb 14C inventory should be revised downwards. A smaller oceanic bomb 14C inventory also implies a smaller oceanic radiocarbon penetration depth, which in turn implies that the oceans take up 25% less anthropogenic CO2 than had previously been believed.

Document type: Article
Journal or Publication Title: Nature
Volume: 370
Number: 21
Date Deposited: 17 Oct 2006 08:41
Date: 1994
Page Range: pp. 201-203
Faculties / Institutes: The Faculty of Physics and Astronomy > Institute of Environmental Physics
DDC-classification: 500 Natural sciences and mathematics
Controlled Keywords: Kohlenstoffkreislauf
Uncontrolled Keywords: Radiokohlenstoff , Gasaustausch , Ozeancarbon cycle , radiocarbon , gas exchange , ocean
About | FAQ | Contact | Imprint |
OA-LogoDINI certificate 2013Logo der Open-Archives-Initiative