Introduction

Climate System

Causes of Climate Change

Empirical Study of Climate

Climate Modelling

Palaeoclimatic Change

Contemporary Climate Change

Epilogue
Appendix
References

6.4.1. Carbon Dioxide and the Carbon Cycle

Carbon in the form of CO2, carbonates and organic compounds is cycled between the main reservoirs of its biogeochemical system: the atmosphere, ocean, land and marine biota, and over geologic time scales, the sediments and rocks (Butcher et al., 1992). This is schematised in Figure 6.1.

The global carbon cycle, like other biogeochemical cycles, exists in dynamic equilibrium. Today, the atmosphere stores approximately 750 billion tonnes (Gt) of carbon (in the form of CO2). The deep ocean represents an enormous store of carbon, with over 38,000Gt, whilst the surface ocean contains roughly 1,000Gt (Schimel et al., 1995).

Greenhouse Effect

Enhanced G-Effect

Greenhouse Gases
 -Carbon Dioxide
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Carbon Cycle
  ·Concentrations
  ·Equilibrium
 -Methane
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Concentrations
 -Nitrous Oxide
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Concentrations
 -Halocarbons
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Concentrations
 -Ozone
 -Other Gases
 -Lifetimes
 -Summary

Greenhouse Forcing
 -Forcing Factors
 -GWPs
 -ΔF-ΔC
 -1765 to 1990
 -Ozone

Aerosols
 -Sources & Sinks
 -Forcing
  ·Direct
  ·Indirect
 -Total Forcing

Climate Variations
 -Surface Temp.
 -Precipitation
 -Other
  ·Stratosphere
  ·Cryosphere
  ·Atmos. Circulation
  ·Cloudiness

Detection
 -Modelling
 -Attribution
  ·Latitudes.
  ·Stratosphere
  ·Precipitation
  ·Sea Level
  ·Fingerprints
 -When?

Future Climate
 -GCM Simulations
 -Feedbacks
  ·Water Vapour
  ·Clouds
  ·Ice Albedo
  ·G-house Gases
 -21st Century

Impacts
 -Agriculture
 -Forestry
 -Ecosystems
 -Water Resources
 -Oceans/Coasts
 -Human & Health

Responses
 -Stabilising
 -FCCC
 -Kyoto Protocol
 -UK Programme
  ·Energy Demand
  ·Energy Supply
 -Evaluation