Abstract
A mathematical inventory of the world's C reservoirs and fluxes is taken, providing data for the atmosphere and ocean and the variety of terrestrial stocks such as those in forests, in soils and from anthropogenic sources. The role of oceanic mixing and circulation is described with particular reference to "biological pumping' in the oceans. As far as is known, the role of terrestrial systems in exchanging CO2 with the atmosphere and of the impact of human land use in releasing C are discussed. Finally, a new global systems modelling approach is used to attempt to resolve current difficulties in the spatial and seasonal patterns of CO2 sources and sinks and so lead to a greater understanding of C dynamics. -J.W.Cooper
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 310-326 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | American Scientist |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1990 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General
Cite this
Post, W. M., Tsung-Hung Peng, P., Emanuel, W. R., King, A. W., Dale, V. H., & Deangelis, D. L. (1990). The global carbon cycle. American Scientist, 78(4), 310-326.