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Why do CO 2 , CH 4 , and ΔT co-vary in the Vostok ice-core data (Kump et al. Figure 1-9)?

Why do CO 2 , CH 4 , and ΔT co-vary in the Vostok ice-core data (Kump et al. Figure 1-9)?. Possible climate processes that could help answer this: Greenhouse effect: CO 2 /CH 4 increases(decreases) lead to ΔT increases(decreases)

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Why do CO 2 , CH 4 , and ΔT co-vary in the Vostok ice-core data (Kump et al. Figure 1-9)?

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  1. Why do CO2, CH4, and ΔT co-vary in the Vostok ice-core data (Kump et al. Figure 1-9)? Possible climate processes that could help answer this: Greenhouse effect: CO2/CH4 increases(decreases) lead to ΔT increases(decreases) A) Ocean solubility effect on atmospheric CO2: ΔT increase(decrease) leads to ocean de-gassing(uptake) of CO2 and therefore atmospheric CO2 increase(decrease) B) Clathrates (CH4 or methane-hydrates) are less(more) stable with increase(decrease) in ΔT First, 1. and 2. could provide a positive feedback. Second, it is not clear which is driving which; surface temperature driving atmospheric chemistry or atmospheric chemistry driving surface temperature!?! “Systems” approach is the best way to get a handle on the complex interactions in the Earth’s climate.

  2. Terms and Terminology Dynamical Systems dynamical system – series of interacting components which are coupled system state – the complete set of attributes (state variables) that define the characteristics of the system at a particular moment in time coupling – physical process relating two state variables in a dynamical system positive coupling – the state variables are positively correlated. Example: greenhouse effect, where increases/decreases in one variable (CO2) lead to increases/decreases in another (temperature) negative coupling – the state variables are negatively correlated. Example: planetary albedo (or reflectivity), where increases/decreases in one variable (albedo or reflectivity) lead to decreases/increases in another (temperature) A systems diagram shows this information graphically – see Kump et al. Figures 2-1 and 2-2… feedback loop – self-perpetuating mechanism of change and a response to that change (better to understand the concept than memorize a definition!)

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