Evaluating the glacial-deglacial carbon respiration and ventilation change hypothesis as a mechanism for changing atmospheric CO2

Stott, L. D.; Shao, Jun; Yu, Jimin; Harazin, Kathleen M.

doi:10.1002/essoar.10504708.1

2020

DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10504708.1

|View full text |Cite

Preprint

Evaluating the glacial-deglacial carbon respiration and ventilation change hypothesis as a mechanism for changing atmospheric CO2

L. D. Stott

Jun Shao

Jimin Yu

et al.

Abstract: The prevailing hypothesis to explain atmospheric CO 2 variability during glacial/interglacial cycles assumes atmospheric CO 2 was sequestered into the deep sea as respired metabolic carbon. Recent studies argue in support of this by suggesting lower oxygen concentrations in the deep Pacific during the glacial reflects increased oxidation of marine organic matter that promoted a larger accumulation of respired carbon. We show this interpretation is not validated by independent tests, including records of deep w… Show more

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2021

2023

Publication Types

Select...

Article2

Relationship

Self Cite1

Independent1

Authors

Journals

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

The atmospheric bridge communicated the δ13C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. During the early part of the last glacial termination (17.2–15 ka) and coincident with a ∼35 ppm rise in atmospheric CO2, a sharp 0.3‰–0.4‰ decline in atmospheric δ13CO2 occurred, potentially constraining the key processes that account for the early deglacial CO2 rise. A comparable δ13C decline has also been documented in numerous marine proxy records from surface and thermocline-dwelling planktic foraminifera. The δ13C decline recorded in planktic foraminifera has previously been attributed to the release of respired carbon from the deep ocean that was subsequently transported within the upper ocean to sites where the signal was recorded (and then ultimately transferred to the atmosphere). Benthic δ13C records from the global upper ocean, including a new record presented here from the tropical Pacific, also document this distinct early deglacial δ13C decline. Here we present modeling evidence to show that rather than respired carbon from the deep ocean propagating directly to the upper ocean prior to reaching the atmosphere, the carbon would have first upwelled to the surface in the Southern Ocean where it would have entered the atmosphere. In this way the transmission of isotopically light carbon to the global upper ocean was analogous to the ongoing ocean invasion of fossil fuel CO2. The model results suggest that thermocline waters throughout the ocean and 500–2000 m water depths were affected by this atmospheric bridge during the early deglaciation.

show abstract

The atmospheric bridge communicated the δ13C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Rejuvenating the ocean: mean ocean radiocarbon, CO₂ release, and radiocarbon budget closure across the last deglaciation

Skinner,

Primeau,

Jeltsch-Thömmes

et al. 2023

Clim. Past

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Radiocarbon is a tracer that provides unique insights into the ocean's ability to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. While spatial patterns of radiocarbon in the ocean interior can indicate the vectors and timescales for carbon transport through the ocean, estimates of the global average ocean–atmosphere radiocarbon age offset (B-Atm) place constraints on the closure of the global carbon cycle. Here, we apply a Bayesian interpolation method to compiled B-Atm data to generate global interpolated fields and mean ocean B-Atm estimates for a suite of time slices across the last deglaciation. The compiled data and interpolations confirm a stepwise and spatially heterogeneous “rejuvenation” of the ocean, suggesting that carbon was released to the atmosphere through two swings of a “ventilation seesaw” operating between the North Atlantic and both the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific. Sensitivity tests using the Bern3D model of intermediate complexity demonstrate that a portion of the reconstructed deglacial B-Atm changes may reflect “phase-attenuation” biases that are unrelated to ocean ventilation and that arise from independent atmospheric radiocarbon dynamics instead. A deglacial minimum in B-Atm offsets during the Bølling–Allerød could partly reflect such a bias. However, the sensitivity tests further demonstrate that when correcting for such biases, ocean “ventilation” could still account for at least one-third of deglacial atmospheric CO2 rise. This contribution to CO2 rise appears to have continued through the Younger Dryas, though much of the impact was likely achieved by the end of the Bølling–Allerød, indicating a key role for marine carbon cycle adjustment early in the deglacial process. Our global average B-Atm estimates place further new constraints on the long-standing mystery of global radiocarbon budget closure across the last deglaciation and suggest that glacial radiocarbon production levels are likely underestimated on average by existing reconstructions.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Evaluating the glacial-deglacial carbon respiration and ventilation change hypothesis as a mechanism for changing atmospheric CO2

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

The atmospheric bridge communicated the <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

The atmospheric bridge communicated the <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

Rejuvenating the ocean: mean ocean radiocarbon, CO₂ release, and radiocarbon budget closure across the last deglaciation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Evaluating the glacial-deglacial carbon respiration and ventilation change hypothesis as a mechanism for changing atmospheric CO2

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

The atmospheric bridge communicated the &lt;i&gt;δ&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

The atmospheric bridge communicated the &lt;i&gt;δ&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

Rejuvenating the ocean: mean ocean radiocarbon, CO2 release, and radiocarbon budget closure across the last deglaciation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The atmospheric bridge communicated the <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

The atmospheric bridge communicated the <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C decline during the last deglaciation to the global upper ocean

Rejuvenating the ocean: mean ocean radiocarbon, CO₂ release, and radiocarbon budget closure across the last deglaciation