Marine Isotopic Stage 11 - Concentration of CO₂

Concentration of CO₂

Carbon dioxide concentration during MIS 11 was possibly similar to that documented in the pre-industrial period, but not especially high when compared to other interglacial periods (for example, CO₂ concentration was probably higher during MIS 9. In addition, a peculiar feature of MIS 11 is that an early CO₂ peak, usually associated to the deglaciation in response to increasing temperatures, is not detected. Seemingly, the long-lasting interglacial conditions that are documented during MIS 11 depend on the peculiar interplay between CO₂ concentration and insolation. In fact, during periods of both eccentricity and precession minima, even small variations in total insolation might lead the control of climate to greenhouse gasses, in particular CO₂.