Decadal patterns in δ18O of atmospheric CO2
Abstract
The stable oxygen isotope 18O is unique to isotope ecology in that it links the hydrosphere to the carbon cycle. Since land biosphere fluxes are the dominant influences on 18O of atmospheric CO2, particularly on shorter times scales, analysis of atmospheric δ18O trends can provide useful insight into the terrestrial carbon cycle. The isotopic values imprinted by leaf water and soil water exchanges with CO2 out-compete those from ocean exchange, fossil fuel and biomass burning, and stratospheric reactions. The opposing isotopic imprints of photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration therefore control the majority of atmospheric 18O concentration. The resulting seasonal cycle in δ18O data of peaks during early summer, when photosynthesis dominates, and lows during early winter, when respiration dominates, has been clearly established. However, the reasons for the interannual variability of atmospheric 18O remain unknown. Studies have shown that the size and isotopic value of the “retrodiffusion” flux- the CO2 that enters and exits leaves without being fixed by photosynthesis- is a function of stomatal conductance, which is affected by the relative humidity in the surrounding atmosphere. We observe that data from numerous global sites shows a global decadal oscillation in δ18O, suggesting a climatological forcing. We compare decadal trends in δ18O with climate oscillations and the 11-year solar cycle, as well as relative humidity records, examining correlations and proposing associated mechanisms. Understanding the decadal patterns in atmospheric 18O of CO2 will shed light on global terrestrial carbon fluxes and the carbon-water interaction on decadal time scales, potentially helping to scale human versus natural impacts on this coupled system.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AGUFM.B23H0501Z
- Keywords:
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- 0426 BIOGEOSCIENCES / Biosphere/atmosphere interactions;
- 0428 BIOGEOSCIENCES / Carbon cycling;
- 1041 GEOCHEMISTRY / Stable isotope geochemistry;
- 1615 GLOBAL CHANGE / Biogeochemical cycles;
- processes;
- and modeling