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3 - Carbon and Photochemical Oxidant Cycles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2020

William J. Manning
William J. Manning
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
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Summary

Reradiative or greenhouse gases were reviewed in Chapter 2. Elevated carbon dioxide is considered to be the most persistent cause of global warming and climate change, having greatly exceeded the capacity of natural terrestrial and ocean sinks. Carbon dioxide is the bridge or link between the land and ocean sinks (Box 3.1). Previously these sinks functioned to keep carbon dioxide in the air at levels that did not result in appreciable global warming. Carbon moves in the environment in slow, intermediate, and relatively fast cycles. Understanding the nature of these cycles will enhance understanding of the important role of carbon and carbon dioxide in the environment.

Type
Chapter
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Trees and Global Warming
The Role of Forests in Cooling and Warming the Atmosphere
 , pp. 47 - 80
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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