Can biomass burning produce a globally significant carbon-isotope excursion in the sedimentary record?

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

6

Scientific paper

Negative carbon-isotope excursions have been comprehensively studied in the stratigraphic record but the discussion of causal mechanisms has largely overlooked the potential role of biomass burning. The carbon-isotopic ratios (δ13C) of vegetation, soil organic matter and peat are significantly lower than atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), and thereby provide a source of low 13C CO2 when combusted. In this study, the potential role of biomass burning to generate negative carbon isotope excursions associated with greenhouse climates is modeled. Results indicate that major peat combustion sustained for 1000 yr increases atmospheric CO2 from 2.5× present atmospheric levels (PAL) to 4.6× PAL, and yields a pronounced negative δ13C excursion in the atmosphere (˜ 2.4‰), vegetation (˜ 2.4‰) and the surface ocean (˜ 1.2‰), but not for the deep ocean (˜ 0.9‰). Release of CO2 initiates a short-term warming of the atmosphere (up to 14.4 °C, with a duration of 1628 yr), which is consistent with the magnitude and length of an observed Toarcian excursion event. These results indicate that peat combustion is a plausible mechanism for driving negative δ13C excursions in the rock record, even during times of elevated pCO2.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Can biomass burning produce a globally significant carbon-isotope excursion in the sedimentary record? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Can biomass burning produce a globally significant carbon-isotope excursion in the sedimentary record?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Can biomass burning produce a globally significant carbon-isotope excursion in the sedimentary record? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-875179

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.