Oxygen & Climate in Precambrian & Now
Thursday, 10. September 2009, 08:51:58
To understand the future, we have to understand the past is a motto often repeated by geologists.
Can we learn anything about the climate today from the Great Oxidation Event around 2450–2200 million years ago and a second increase in atmospheric oxygen that appears to have taken place in distinct stages during the late Neoproterozoic era (approximately 800–542 million years ago).
In other words which role does atmospheric oxygen content play in global warming? This question has become extremely relevant now that Professor Robert Frei from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with colleagues from Uruguay, England and the University of Southern Denmark, has established that there is a historical correlation between oxygen and temperature fluctuations towards global cooling.
They conclude that high oxygen content in seawater enables a lot of life in the oceans "consuming" the greenhouse gas CO2, which subsequently leads to a cooling of the earth's surface. Throughout history our climate has been dependent on balance between CO2 and atmospheric oxygen. The more CO2 and other greenhouse gases, the warmer the climate has been.
The findings do not mean that we cannot do anything to slow down the current global warming trend. For example by increased forestry and other initiatives that help to increase atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels.
In Danish:
Can we learn anything about the climate today from the Great Oxidation Event around 2450–2200 million years ago and a second increase in atmospheric oxygen that appears to have taken place in distinct stages during the late Neoproterozoic era (approximately 800–542 million years ago).
In other words which role does atmospheric oxygen content play in global warming? This question has become extremely relevant now that Professor Robert Frei from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with colleagues from Uruguay, England and the University of Southern Denmark, has established that there is a historical correlation between oxygen and temperature fluctuations towards global cooling.
They conclude that high oxygen content in seawater enables a lot of life in the oceans "consuming" the greenhouse gas CO2, which subsequently leads to a cooling of the earth's surface. Throughout history our climate has been dependent on balance between CO2 and atmospheric oxygen. The more CO2 and other greenhouse gases, the warmer the climate has been.
The findings do not mean that we cannot do anything to slow down the current global warming trend. For example by increased forestry and other initiatives that help to increase atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels.
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http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7261/full/nature08266.html
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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/uoc-mo090809.php
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http://www.sciencecodex.com/more_oxygen_colder_climate
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http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1750652/ancient_oceans_give_new_insight_into_the_origins_of_animal/index.html?source=r_science
In Danish:
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http://www.ku.dk/nyheder/?content=%2Fnyheder%2Fvis_indlaeg.asp%3Ftype%3D1%26amp%3Bid%3D8670%26amp%3Bref%3D0
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http://borsen.dk/fodevarer/nyhed/165457/newsfeeds_rss/
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http://www.videnskab.dk/composite-2930.htm
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http://ing.dk/artikel/102276-jorden-fik-pludselig-iltmangel-for-19-milliarder-aar-siden?utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nyheder
WIDGETIZE
53north # 14. September 2009, 17:06