Atmospheric CO2concentrations during ancient greenhouse climates were similar to those predicted for A.D. 2100
- 28 December 2009
- journal article
- Published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
- Vol. 107 (2), 576-580
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0902323106
Abstract
Quantifying atmospheric CO(2) concentrations ([CO(2)](atm)) during Earth's ancient greenhouse episodes is essential for accurately predicting the response of future climate to elevated CO(2) levels. Empirical estimates of [CO(2)](atm) during Paleozoic and Mesozoic greenhouse climates are based primarily on the carbon isotope composition of calcium carbonate in fossil soils. We report that greenhouse [CO(2)](atm) have been significantly overestimated because previously assumed soil CO(2) concentrations during carbonate formation are too high. More accurate [CO(2)](atm), resulting from better constraints on soil CO(2), indicate that large (1,000s of ppmV) fluctuations in [CO(2)](atm) did not characterize ancient climates and that past greenhouse climates were accompanied by concentrations similar to those projected for A.D. 2100.This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
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