Natural Carbon Cycle and Regulating Atmospheric CO2 Levels
Volcanic eruptions and natural life processes release CO2 into the atmosphere.
Plants absorb atmospheric CO2 during photosynthesis and convert it into glucose, storing carbon.
This cycle of CO2 release and absorption helps regulate atmospheric CO2 levels, balancing out emissions from natural sources.
Plant Carbon Absorption and Storage
Plants store absorbed CO2 as glucose and starch.
They release some carbon during respiration.
Satellite data estimate that plants globally store between 43–76 billion tonnes of carbon annually, with most stored in leaves and finer roots.
Plants continuously cycle carbon between the atmosphere and their biomass, impacting the overall carbon balance.
New Research Findings – Its Implications
New research shows that plants absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere than previously estimated.
Plants may release stored carbon sooner than earlier estimates, leading to discrepancies in carbon models.
The carbon exchange between plants and the atmosphere occurs more rapidly than previously thought.
The study used radiocarbon data from Cold War-era nuclear tests to track carbon absorption and release.
Limitations
Current climate models, including those from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), often lack radiocarbon data, which impacts their accuracy.
In 1995, the World Climate Research Program set up the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), which prepares climate projections that inform the U.N.’s climate reports.
Way forward
Better integration of radiocarbon data into climate models is essential for more accurate climate predictions and understanding of carbon dynamics.
Addressing the limitations in current models and incorporating more isotopic data will enhance the precision of climate forecasts and carbon cycle studies.
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