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23 paź 2020 · Key Points. Carbon isotopes, 14 C and 13 C, in atmospheric CO 2 are changing in response to fossil fuel emissions and other human activities. Future simulations using different SSPs show continued changes in isotopic ratios that depend on fossil fuel emissions and, for 13 C, BECCS.
Atmospheric CO2 refers to carbon dioxide present in the Earth's atmosphere, a critical greenhouse gas that plays a significant role in regulating the planet's temperature and climate. It is produced naturally through processes like respiration, volcanic eruptions, and decomposition, but human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and ...
So, we know that the ratio of carbon isotopes in atmospheric carbon dioxide samples is from a mixture of sources, and we also know the unique isotopic fingerprint of each of those sources. Using these two pieces of information, scientists can figure out why trends in Δ 14 C and δ 13 C occur.
The atmospheric carbon cycle accounts for the exchange of gaseous carbon compounds, primarily carbon dioxide (CO 2), between Earth's atmosphere, the oceans, and the terrestrial biosphere.
17 sty 2018 · Atmospheric effects must be taken into account when interpreting terrestrial stable carbon isotopes, with important implications for past environments and climates, and understanding plant ...
1 paź 2024 · Scientists know that the source of CO₂ in the atmosphere is the result of human activity (e.g. burning fossil fuels to produce electricity, transport, and industrial processes). This is because they can analyse the different isotopes of carbon in atmospheric CO₂ to understand their sources.
By examining the isotopic mixture in the atmosphere, and knowing the isotopic fingerprint of each reservoir, atmospheric scientists can determine how much carbon dioxide is coming and going from each reservoir, making isotopes an ideal tracer of sources and sinks of carbon dioxide.