Carbon Respiration - Carbon Flux Ratio

Carbon Flux Ratio

The calculation of the annual net difference between carbon respiration and carbon storage constitutes the annual global atmospheric carbon accumulation rate. Using this method, the annual carbon flux ratio has been calculated to be approaching zero. This means the carbon respiration rate and carbon storage rate are in balance when generating a global estimate of this figure.

Annual net carbon flux has been grossly calculated to be close to zero, implying the respiration and storage rates are roughly in balance worldwide. This finding is contradicted by measuring the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, an important indication that the balance is tipped toward emissions. Using this data, atmospheric concentrations appear to have increased rapidly over the past 100 years and are currently higher than ever in human history. Suggesting more carbon is being released than can be absorbed on earth.

Read more about this topic:  Carbon Respiration

Famous quotes containing the words flux and/or ratio:

    Death not merely ends life, it also bestows upon it a silent completeness, snatched from the hazardous flux to which all things human are subject.
    Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)

    A magazine or a newspaper is a shop. Each is an experiment and represents a new focus, a new ratio between commerce and intellect.
    John Jay Chapman (1862–1933)