Improved radiocarbon dating of soil has led scientists to discover that the ground's soil will be absorbing far less atmospheric carbon dioxide this century than expected. Researchers at UC Irvine used carbon-14 data from 157 sites around the world to find that the carbon found in soil is roughly 3,100 years old, not 450. The previous finding of soil absorbing carbon at a strong rate led researchers to believe that atmospheric CO2 would decrease but instead it will be staying in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. The process occurs through photosynthesis; plants absorb CO2 from the air and when they die, they conceal the carbon in the soil. However, with the findings due to new technology, this process will be occurring at a much slower rate. Even through the new discoveries were not positive, the method of radiocarbon helps further knowledge and understanding of CO2 in the atmosphere as well as within soil. With this information, it is even more pressing that fossil fuel emissions are decreased, whether it be through clean energy or increased amount of plant life.
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The myth is that the earth's current warming is due to a 1500 year cycle observed in the ice cores of greenland then the ocean sediments in the Atlantic.
This theory supports a temperature "see-saw" effect that the total heat on the globe remains constant. This was drawn from the above mentioned ice core data. However, there has been a dramatic increase in CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere in these last 200 years. For the previous 800,000 years, it remains under 300 parts per million but has now reached 400 ppm in the span of these 200 years. Unlike natural variations in heat, this human produced warming is being recorded all around the globe, in the oceans, air, and on the ground. It has been said that the documentary created by Al Gore is scientifically incorrect and contains nine significant errors. These errors were said to be pointed out by Mr. Justice Barton. These errors were said to have arisen in the context of alarmism and exaggeration according to the source. In addition, the idea that Al Gore was prosecuted in the UK and a judge found errors arose. However, these statements are proven to be wrong. The film was supported by to date climate science, a round- up of research, projections, and cinematic elements. The only error in the film was attributed to information proven to be wrong after the film was released. He claimed that climate change caused the shrinking of Mount Kilimanjaro but later research showed it was due to deforestation. The incorrect data was mistakenly taken by Dr. Thompson and not Gore. The "case" regarding Gore was heard in the civil court brough by a school governor to stop the film from being presented in classes due to its political views. Mr. Justice Burton, the judge earlier mentioned found no errors and included in his written statement "Al Gore's presentation of the causes and likely effects of climate change in the film was broadly accurate" disproving the earlier claim of his disapproval. CORAL(COral Reef Airborne Laboratory) is a new mission created by NASA to study the current condition of the reef systems around the globe. The mission will allow scientists to understand and predict the future of these reefs as well as the actions needed to be taken to ensure their safety. Such locations will include portions of the Great Barrier Reef, systems in the Hawaiian Islands, Mariana Islands, and Palau.With the Great Barrier Reef being nearly 133,000 square miles, it generates billions of dollars in fishing but faces environmental consequences. Studies of these consequences have been very limited up until now and the new research will include how the reefs respond to environmental changes, responses to stress, and irreversible erosion. To achieve this data, CORAL will be using PRISM(Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer) which creates high definition images with accuracy, range, resolution, and signal to noise ratio. PRISM's data will be compared with the ten key biological factors affecting coral reefs from precious data to further knowledge.
This project is significant because it is the first major mission taken on to understand the world's coral reefs. Having knowledge of these animal made homes will guide scientists on ways to protect them as well as the animals that inhabit them. With the growth of algae replacing reefs, it is important to know how humans can help before the reefs are gone. The quasi-biennial oscillation is the normal flow of air high in the atmosphere and is a regular feature of the earth's climate system. These stratospheric winds have a cycle that changes direction every 28-29 months from east to west. However, unexpectedly, this past February the winds suddenly reversed to a westward direction. When the winds travel westward, warm and wet conditions increase in contrary to the dry and cool eastern winds. With winter months approaching, this can possibly change the climate. Scientists from NCAS at the University of Oxford found that the unexpected change was caused by atmospheric waves located in the northern hemisphere. Because the pattern was broken, it will forever be altered, leaving scientists wondering how it will effect the future patterns. At the end of this month, international research groups will be meeting at Oxford to discuss this next year's forecast and disruptions as the climate warms. This event of changing winds has the potential to cause a warmer winter due to its westward direction. If the increased temperatures occur, the results may include a more severe drought and loss of many agricultural items. |
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April 2017
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