No rise in atmospheric CO2 fraction in past 150 years

Jan
6
2010.

No rise in atmospheric CO2 fraction in past 150 years
Posted by newspostraj in Science
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.In a new study, a scientist has found that the airborne fraction of carbon dioxide (CO2) has not increased either during the past 150 years.

.The scientist in question is Wolfgang Knorr, from the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.

Most of the CO2 emitted by human activity does not remain in the atmosphere, but is instead absorbed by the oceans and terrestrial ecosystems.

In fact, only about 45 percent of emitted carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere.

However, some studies have suggested that the ability of oceans and plants to absorb carbon dioxide recently may have begun to decline and that the airborne fraction of anthropogenic CO2 emissions is therefore beginning to increase.

Many climate models also assume that the airborne fraction will increase.

Because understanding of the airborne fraction of carbon dioxide is important for predicting future climate change, it is essential to have accurate knowledge of whether that fraction is changing or will change as emissions increase.

To assess whether the airborne fraction is indeed increasing, Knorr reanalyzed available atmospheric CO2 and emissions data since 1850 and considers the uncertainties in the data.

In contradiction to some recent studies, he found that the airborne fraction of CO2 has not increased either during the past 150 years or during the most recent five decades. (ANI)