A Study of the Abundance and 13C/12C Ratio of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Oceanic Carbon in Relation to the Global Carbon Cycle

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During the International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957-8 Professor Keeling of Scripps Institution of Oceanography initiated a high precision atmospheric CO2 measurements program at Mauna Loa, Hawaii to study the biogeochemical carbon cycle. This measurement program has been continued and expanded since that time. In the early 1960's the data set available from this program demonstrated conclusively that the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere was increasing at a rate of approximately a third of one percent per year. This increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is caused primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels. Since CO2 is a "greenhouse gas" it is expected that within a few decades its increased atmospheric concentration will lead to climatic changes. Among the central issues of the CO2 question is the reliability of predictions of future concentrations. Such predictions require an understanding of the biogeochemical carbon cycle. Presently, however, there are major uncertainties about the CO2 gas exchange processes involving the oceans and terrestrial biosphere. The goal of this research project is to gather the type of data which can be used to obtain a more reliable estimate of the oceanic and biospheric carbon dioxide sink and source strengths. In this research project emphasis will be on the measurement of the carbon isotopic composition of CO2 in the atmosphere and oceans as a function of space and time. Additionally, high precision measurements of dissolved carbon dioxide will be made at key locations in surface and subsurface ocean water. These, and supporting chemical measurements, will be used to atmosphere by the combustion of fossil fuels.