Showing papers in "Global Biogeochemical Cycles in 2005"

A dynamic global vegetation model for studies of the coupled atmosphere-biosphere system

Abstract: This work presents a new dynamic global vegetation model designed as an extension of an existing surface-vegetation-atmosphere transfer scheme which is included in a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model. The new dynamic global vegetation model simulates the principal processes of the continental biosphere influencing the global carbon cycle (photosynthesis, autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration of plants and in soils, fire, etc.) as well as latent, sensible, and kinetic energy exchanges at the surface of soils and plants. As a dynamic vegetation model, it explicitly represents competitive processes such as light competition, sapling establishment, etc. It can thus be used in simulations for the study of feedbacks between transient climate and vegetation cover changes, but it can also be used with a prescribed vegetation distribution. The whole seasonal phenological cycle is prognostically calculated without any prescribed dates or use of satellite data. The model is coupled to the IPSL-CM4 coupled atmosphere-ocean-vegetation model. Carbon and surface energy fluxes from the coupled hydrology-vegetation model compare well with observations at FluxNet sites. Simulated vegetation distribution and leaf density in a global simulation are evaluated against observations, and carbon stocks and fluxes are compared to available estimates, with satisfying results.

Carbon-based ocean productivity and phytoplankton physiology from space

Abstract: carbon(C)andchlorophyll(Chl)biomassandshowthatderivedChl:Cratioscloselyfollow anticipated physiological dependencies on light, nutrients, and temperature. With this new information, global estimates of phytoplankton growth rates (m) and carbon-based NPP are made for the first time. Compared to an earlier chlorophyll-based approach, our carbonbased values are considerably higher in tropical oceans, show greater seasonality at middle and high latitudes, and illustrate important differences in the formation and demise of regional algal blooms. This fusion of emerging concepts from the phycological and remote sensing disciplines has the potential to fundamentally change how we model and observe carbon cycling in the global oceans.

Atmospheric global dust cycle and iron inputs to the ocean

Abstract: [1] Since iron is an important micronutrient, deposition of iron in mineral aerosols can impact the carbon cycle and atmospheric CO2. This paper reviews our current understanding of the global dust cycle and identifies future research needs. The global distribution of desert dust is estimated from a combination of observations of dust from in situ concentration, optical depth, and deposition data; observations from satellite; and global atmospheric models. The anthropogenically influenced portion of atmospheric desert dust flux is thought to be smaller than the natural portion, but is difficult to quantify due to the poorly understood response of desert dust to changes in climate, land use, and water use. The iron content of aerosols is thought to vary by a factor of 2, while the uncertainty in dust deposition is at least a factor of 10 in some regions due to the high spatial and temporal variability and limited observations. Importantly, we have a limited understanding of the processes by which relatively insoluble soil iron (typically ∼0.5% is soluble) becomes more soluble (1–80%) during atmospheric transport, but these processes could be impacted by anthropogenic emissions of sulfur or organic acids. In order to understand how humans will impact future iron deposition to the oceans, we need to improve our understanding of: iron deposition to remote oceans, iron chemistry in aerosols, how desert dust sources will respond to climate change, and how humans will impact the transport of bioavailable fraction of iron to the oceans.

Sources and delivery of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus to the coastal zone : An overview of global nutrient export from watersheds (NEWS) models and their application

Abstract: [1] An overview of the first spatially explicit, multielement (N, P, and C), multiform (dissolved inorganic: DIN, DIP; dissolved organic: DOC, DON, DOP; and particulate: POC, PN, PP) predictive model system of river nutrient export from watersheds (Global Nutrient Export from Watersheds (NEWS)) is presented. NEWS models estimate export from 5761 watersheds globally as a function of land use, nutrient inputs, hydrology, and other factors; regional and global scale patterns as of 1995 are presented here. Watershed sources and their relative magnitudes differ by element and form. For example, anthropogenic sources dominate the export of DIN and DIP at the global scale, although their anthropogenic sources differ significantly (diffuse and point, respectively). Natural sources dominate DON and DOP export globally, although diffuse anthropogenic sources dominate in several regions in Asia, Europe and N. America. “Hot spots” where yield (kg km−2 yr−1) is high for several elements and forms were identified, including parts of Indonesia, Japan, southern Asia, and Central America, due to anthropogenic N and P inputs in some regions and high water runoff in others. NEWS models provide a tool to examine past, current and future river export of nutrients, and how humans might impact element ratios and forms, and thereby affect estuaries and coastal seas.

A 3-year field measurement of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddies in China : Effects of water regime, crop residue, and fertilizer application

Abstract: [1] A 3-year field experiment was conducted to simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from rice paddies under various agricultural managements including water regime, crop residue incorporation, and synthetic fertilizer application In contrast with continuous flooding, midseason drainage incurred a drop in CH4 fluxes while triggering substantial N2O emission Moreover, N2O emissions after midseason drainage depended strongly on whether or not fields were waterlogged due to intermittent irrigation Urea application tended to reduce CH4 emissions but significantly increased N2O emissions Under a water regime of flooding-midseason drainage-reflooding-moist intermittent irrigation but without water logging (F-D-F-M), both wheat straw and rapeseed cake incorporation increased CH4 emissions by 252%, and rapeseed cake increased N2O by 17% while wheat straw reduced N2O by 19% compared to controls Seasonal average fluxes of CH4 ranged from 254 mg m−2 d−1 when no additional residue was applied under the water regime of flooding-midseason drainage-reflooding to 1169 mg m−2 d−1 when wheat straw was applied at 225 t ha−1 under continuous irrigation flooding Seasonal average fluxes of N2O varied between 003 mg N2O-N m−2 d−1 under continuous flooding and 523 mg N2O-N m−2 d−1 under the water regime of F-D-F-M Both crop residue-induced CH4, ranging from 9 to 15% of the incorporated residue C, and N2O, ranging from 001 to 178% of the applied N, were dependent on water regime in rice paddies Estimations of net global warming potentials (GWPs) indicate that water management by flooding with midseason drainage and frequent water logging without the use of organic amendments is an effective option for mitigating the combined climatic impacts from CH4 and N2O in paddy rice production

Nitrogen fixation by Trichodesmium spp.: An important source of new nitrogen to the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract: [1] The broad distribution and often high densities of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. in oligotrophic waters imply a substantial role for this one taxon in the oceanic N cycle of the marine tropics and subtropics. New results from 154 stations on six research cruises in the North Atlantic Ocean show depth-integrated N2 fixation by Trichodesmium spp. at many stations that equalled or exceeded the estimated vertical flux of NO3− into the euphotic zone by diapycnal mixing. Areal rates are consistent with those derived from several indirect geochemical analyses. Direct measurements of N2 fixation rates by Trichodesmium are also congruent with upper water column N budgets derived from parallel determinations of stable isotope distributions, clearly showing that N2 fixation by Trichodesmium is a major source of new nitrogen in the tropical North Atlantic. We project a conservative estimate of the annual input of new N into the tropical North Atlantic of at least 1.6 × 1012 mol N by Trichodesmium N2 fixation alone. This input can account for a substantial fraction of the N2 fixation in the North Atlantic inferred by several of the geochemical approaches.

Carbon dioxide and methane emissions and the carbon budget of a 10-year old tropical reservoir (Petit Saut, French Guiana)

Abstract: emissions, 0.07 ± 0.01) the first 3 years after impounding (1994–1996) and then decreased to 0.12 ± 0.01 Mt yr 1 C( CO2, 0.10 ± 0.01; CH4, 0.016 ± 0.006) since 2000. On average over the 10 years, 61% of the CO2 emissions occurred by diffusion from the reservoir surface, 31% from the estuary, 7% by degassing at the outlet of the dam, and a negligible fraction by bubbling. CH4 diffusion and bubbling from the reservoir surface were predominant (40% and 44%, respectively) only the first year after impounding. Since 1995, degassing at an aerating weir downstream of the turbines has become the major pathway for CH4 emissions, reaching 70% of the total CH4 flux. In 2003, river carbon inputs were balanced by carbon outputs to the ocean and were about 3 times lower than the atmospheric flux, which suggests that 10 years after impounding, the flooded terrestrial carbon is still the predominant contributor to the gaseous emissions. In 10 years, about 22% of the 10 Mt C flooded was lost to the atmosphere. Our results confirm the significance of greenhouse gas emissions from tropical reservoir but stress the importance of: (1) considering all the gas pathways upstream and downstream of the dams and (2) taking into account the reservoir age when upscaling emissions rates at the global scale.

Burial of terrestrial organic matter in marine sediments: A re-assessment

Abstract: [1] Calculations based on recent observations indicate that approximately one third of the organic matter presently being buried in marine sediments may be of terrestrial origin, with the majority of this terrestrial organic matter (TOM) burial occurring in muddy, deltaic sediments. These calculations further suggest that the remineralization of terrestrial organic matter in the oceans is also much less efficient than that of marine organic matter. These two underappreciated observations have important implications in terms of our understanding of the controls on the global carbon cycle. From a paleoceanographic perspective, the results presented here also suggest that changes in TOM burial on glacial-interglacial timescales have the potential to impact the global carbon cycle (i.e., atmospheric CO2 levels).

Empirical and mechanistic models for the particle export ratio

Abstract: [1] We present new empirical and mechanistic models for predicting the export of organic carbon out of the surface ocean by sinking particles. To calibrate these models, we have compiled a synthesis of field observations related to ecosystem size structure, primary production and particle export from around the globe. The empirical model captures 61% of the observed variance in the ratio of particle export to primary production (the pe ratio) using sea-surface temperature and chlorophyll concentrations (or primary productivity) as predictor variables. To describe the mechanisms responsible for pe-ratio variability, we present size-based formulations of phytoplankton grazing and sinking particle export, combining them into an alternative, mechanistic model. The formulation of grazing dynamics, using simple power laws as closure terms for small and large phytoplankton, reproduces 74% of the observed variability in phytoplankton community composition wherein large phytoplankton augment small ones as production increases. The formulation for sinking particle export partitions a temperature-dependent fraction of small and large phytoplankton grazing into sinking detritus. The mechanistic model also captures 61% of the observed variance in pe ratio, with large phytoplankton in high biomass and relatively cold regions leading to more efficient export. In this model, variability in primary productivity results in a biomass-modulated switch between small and large phytoplankton pathways.

Coupled nitrogen and oxygen isotope measurements of nitrate along the eastern North Pacific margin

Abstract: [1] Water column depth profiles along the North Pacific margin from Point Conception to the tip of Baja California indicate elevation of nitrate (NO3−) 15N/14N and 18O/16O associated with denitrification in the oxygen-deficient thermocline waters of the eastern tropical North Pacific. The increase in δ18O is up to 3‰ greater than in δ15N, whereas our experiments with denitrifier cultures in seawater medium indicate a 1:1 increase in NO3− δ18O and δ15N during NO3− consumption. Moreover, the maximum in NO3− δ18O is somewhat shallower than the maximum in NO3− δ15N. These two observations can be summarized as an “anomaly” from the 1:1 δ18O-to-δ15N relationship expected from culture results. Comparison among stations and with other data indicates that this anomaly is generated locally. The anomaly has two plausible interpretations: (1) the addition of low-δ15N NO3− to the shallow thermocline by the remineralization of newly fixed nitrogen, or (2) active cycling between NO3− and NO2− (coupled NO3− reduction and NO2− oxidation) in the suboxic zone.

Temperature independence of carbon dioxide supersaturation in global lakes

Abstract: [1] A growing body of evidence suggests that most of the world's lakes are supersaturated with CO2 and export significant amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere. Still, the temperature dependence of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in lakes, which is the main driver of carbon flux across the air-water interface, has not yet been assessed. Analyzing a global-scale database of 4902 lakes, we show that temperature is not an important regulator of pCO2 in lakes. Instead, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), a substrate for microbial respiration, explains significant variation in lake pCO2. Contrary to what may be expected from the physiological constraints of temperature, effects of climate change on the carbon balance of lakes may not be due to rising temperature per se, but rather to climatically induced changes in the export of DOC from terrestrial soils to aquatic habitats.

Global change, nitrification, and denitrification: A review

Abstract: We reviewed responses of nitrification, denitrification, and soil N2O efflux to elevated CO2, N availability, and temperature, based on published experimental results. We used meta-analysis to estimate the magnitude of response of soil N2O emissions, nitrifying enzyme activity (NEA), denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA), and net and gross nitrification across experiments. We found no significant overall effect of elevated CO2 on N2O fluxes. DEA and NEA significantly decreased at elevated CO2; however, gross nitrification was not modified by elevated CO2, and net nitrification increased. The negative overall response of DEA to elevated CO2 was associated with decreased soil [NO3-], suggesting that reduced availability of electron acceptors may dominate the responses of denitrification to elevated CO2. N addition significantly increased field and laboratory N2O emissions, together with gross and net nitrification, but the effect of N addition on field N2O efflux was not correlated to the amount of N added. The effects of elevated temperature on DEA, NEA, and net nitrification were not significant: The small number of studies available stress the need for more warming experiments in the field. While N addition had large effects on measurements of nitrification and denitrification, the effects of elevated CO2 were less pronounced and more variable, suggesting that increased N deposition is likely to affect belowground N cycling with a magnitude of change that is much larger than that caused by elevated CO2.

Two decades of terrestrial carbon fluxes from a carbon cycle data assimilation system (CCDAS)

Abstract: This paper presents the space-time distribution of terrestrial carbon fluxes for the period 1979-1999 generated by a terrestrial carbon cycle data assimilation system (CCDAS). CCDAS is based around the Biosphere Energy Transfer Hydrology model. We assimilate satellite observations of photosynthetically active radiation and atmospheric CO2 concentration observations in a two-step process. The control variables for the assimilation are the parameters of the carbon cycle model. The optimized model produces a moderate fit to the seasonal cycle of atmospheric CO2 concentration and a good fit to its interannual variability. Long-term mean fluxes show large uptakes over the northern midlatitudes and uptakes over tropical continents partly offsetting the prescribed efflux due to land use change. Interannual variability is dominated by the tropics. On interannual timescales the controlling process is net primary productivity (NPP) while for decadal changes the main driver is changes in soil respiration. An adjoint sensitivity analysis reveals that uncertainty in long-term storage efficiency of soil carbon is the largest contributor to uncertainty in net flux. (Less)

Near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy for mapping nano‐scale distribution of organic carbon forms in soil: Application to black carbon particles

Abstract: Received 17 December 2004; accepted 3 January 2005; published 16 February 2005. [1] Small-scale heterogeneity of organic carbon (C) forms in soils is poorly quantified since appropriate analytical techniques were not available up to now. Specifically, tools for the identification of functional groups on the surface of micrometer-sized black C particles were not available up to now. Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) using synchrotron radiation was used in conjunction with Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy to investigate nano-scale distribution (50-nm resolution) of C forms in black C particles and compared to synchrotron-based FTIR spectroscopy. A new embedding technique was developed that did not build on a C-based embedding medium and did not pose the risk of heat damage to the sample. Elemental sulfur (S) was melted to 220� C until it polymerized and quenched with liquid N2 to obtain a very viscous plastic S in which the black C could be embedded until it hardened to a noncrystalline state and was ultrasectioned. Principal component and cluster analysis followed by singular value decomposition was able to resolve distinct areas in a black carbon particle. The core of the studied biomass-derived black C particles was highly aromatic even after thousands of years of exposure in soil and resembled the spectral characteristics of fresh charcoal. Surrounding this core and on the surface of the black C particle, however, much larger proportions of carboxylic and phenolic C forms were identified that were spatially and structurally distinct from the core of the particle. Cluster analysis provided evidence for both oxidation of the black C particle itself as well as adsorption of non-black C. NEXAFS spectroscopy has great potential to allow new insight into black C properties with important implications for biogeochemical cycles such as mineralization of black C in soils and sediments, and adsorption of C, nutrients, and pollutants as well as transport in the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

FeCycle: Attempting an iron biogeochemical budget from a mesoscale SF6 tracer experiment in unperturbed low iron waters

Abstract: [1] An improved knowledge of iron biogeochemistry is needed to better understand key controls on the functioning of high-nitrate low-chlorophyll (HNLC) oceanic regions. Iron budgets for HNLC waters have been constructed using data from disparate sources ranging from laboratory algal cultures to ocean physics. In summer 2003 we conducted FeCycle, a 10-day mesoscale tracer release in HNLC waters SE of New Zealand, and measured concurrently all sources (with the exception of aerosol deposition) to, sinks of iron from, and rates of iron recycling within, the surface mixed layer. A pelagic iron budget (timescale of days) indicated that oceanic supply terms (lateral advection and vertical diffusion) were relatively small compared to the main sink (downward particulate export). Remote sensing and terrestrial monitoring reveal 13 dust or wildfire events in Australia, prior to and during FeCycle, one of which may have deposited iron at the study location. However, iron deposition rates cannot be derived from such observations, illustrating the difficulties in closing iron budgets without quantification of episodic atmospheric supply. Despite the threefold uncertainties reported for rates of aerosol deposition (Duce et al., 1991), published atmospheric iron supply for the New Zealand region is ∼50-fold (i.e., 7- to 150-fold) greater than the oceanic iron supply measured in our budget, and thus was comparable (i.e., a third to threefold) to our estimates of downward export of particulate iron. During FeCycle, the fluxes due to short term (hours) biological iron uptake and regeneration were indicative of rapid recycling and were tenfold greater than for new iron (i.e. estimated atmospheric and measured oceanic supply), giving an “fe” ratio (uptake of new iron/uptake of new + regenerated iron) of 0.17 (i.e., a range of 0.06 to 0.51 due to uncertainties on aerosol iron supply), and an “Fe” ratio (biogenic Fe export/uptake of new + regenerated iron) of 0.09 (i.e., 0.03 to 0.24).

Terrestrial mechanisms of interannual CO2 variability

Abstract: [1] The interannual variability of atmospheric CO2 growth rate shows remarkable correlation with the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Here we present results from mechanistically based terrestrial carbon cycle model VEgetation-Global-Atmosphere-Soil (VEGAS), forced by observed climate fields such as precipitation and temperature. Land is found to explain most of the interannual CO2 variability with a magnitude of about 5 PgC yr−1. The simulated land-atmosphere flux has a detrended correlation of 0.53 (0.6 at the 2–7 year ENSO band) with the CO2 growth rate observed at Mauna Loa from 1965 to 2000. We also present the total ocean flux from the Hamburg Ocean Carbon Cycle Model (HAMOCC) which shows ocean-atmosphere flux variation of about 1 PgC yr−1, and it is largely out of phase with land flux. On land, much of the change comes from the tropical regions such as the Amazon and Indonesia where ENSO related climate anomalies are in the same direction across much of the tropics. The subcontinental variations over North America and Eurasia are comparable to the tropics but the total interannual variability is about 1 PgC yr−1 due to the cancellation from the subregions. This has implication for flux measurement network distribution. The tropical dominance also results from a “conspiracy” between climate and plant/soil physiology, as precipitation and temperature changes drive opposite changes in net primary production (NPP) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh), both contributing to land-atmosphere flux changes in the same direction. However, NPP contributes to about three fourths of the total tropical interannual variation and the rest is from heterotrophic respiration; thus precipitation appears to be a more important factor than temperature on the interannual timescales as tropical wet and dry regimes control vegetation growth. Fire, largely driven by drought, also contributes significantly to the interannual CO2 variability at a rate of about 1 PgC yr−1, and it is not totally in phase with NPP or Rh. The robust variability in tropical fluxes agree well with atmospheric inverse modeling results. Even over North America and Eurasia, where ENSO teleconnection is less robust, the fluxes show general agreement with inversion results, an encouraging sign for fruitful carbon data assimilation.

N isotopic composition of dissolved organic nitrogen and nitrate at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study site

Abstract: [1] To better constrain the dynamics of the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) pool and the role of N2 fixation in the nitrogen cycle at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site, we measured the 15N/14N ratio of total nongaseous nitrogen (TN) in the upper 250 m and of nitrate in the upper 1000 m of monthly water column profiles from June 2000 through May 2001. The annually averaged TN δ15N in the upper 100 m is 3.9‰, which is greater than thermocline nitrate (2–3‰ at 250 m) and similar to literature values for shallow sinking nitrogen at BATS (3.7‰). We discern no seasonal variation in TN δ15N, which suggests that most of the DON pool is recalcitrant on this timescale. The TN data require a δ15N for the sinking flux that is similar to previous measurements, suggesting that N2 fixation is a minor component of new nitrogen at BATS. Small but measurable differences in the concentration and 15N/14N of total organic nitrogen (TON) between the surface and subsurface (∼250 m) suggest that subsurface remineralization of ∼0.25 μM of the surface TON acts to lower the 15N/14N of nitrate in the thermocline at BATS.

Effects of parameter uncertainties on the modeling of terrestrial biosphere dynamics

Abstract: Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) have been shown to broadly reproduce seasonal and interannual patterns of carbon exchange, as well as realistic vegetation dynamics. To assess the uncertainties in these results associated with model parameterization, the Lund-Potsdam-Jena-DGVM (LPJ-DGVM) is analyzed in terms of model robustness and key sensitive parameters. Present-day global land-atmosphere carbon fluxes are relatively well constrained, despite considerable uncertainty in global net primary production mainly propagating from uncertainty in parameters controlling assimilation rate, plant respiration and plant water balance. In response to climate change, water-use efficiency driven increases in net carbon assimilation by plants, transient changes in vegetation composition and global warming effects on soil organic matter dynamics are robust model results. As a consequence, long-term trends in land-atmosphere fluxes are consistently modeled despite an uncertainty range of -3.35 +/- 1.45 PgC yr(-1) at the end of the twenty-first century for the specific scenario used. (Less)

Estimation of global river transport of sediments and associated particulate C, N, and P

Abstract: [1] This paper presents a multiple linear regression model developed for describing global river export of sediments (suspended solids, TSS) to coastal seas, and approaches for estimating organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous transported as particulate matter (POC, PN, and PP) associated with sediments. The model, with river-basin spatial scale and a 1-year temporal scale, is based on five factors with a significant influence on TSS yields (the extent of marginal grassland and wetland rice, Fournier precipitation, Fournier slope, and lithology), and accounts for sediment trapping in reservoirs. The model generates predictions within a factor of 4 for 80% of the 124 rivers in the data set. It is a robust model which was cross-validated by using training and validation sets of data, and validated against independent data. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations were used to deal with uncertainties in the model coefficients for the five model factors. The global river export of TSS calculated thus is 19 Pg yr �1 with a 95% confidence interval of 11–27 Pg yr �1 when accounting for sediment trapping in regulated rivers. Associated POC, PN, and PP export is 197 Tg yr � 1 (as C), 30 Tg yr �1 (N), and 9 Tg yr �1 (P), respectively. The global sediment trapping included in these estimates is 13%. Most particulate nutrients are transported by rivers to the Pacific (� 37% of global particulate nutrient export), Atlantic (28–29%), and Indian (� 20%) oceans, and the major source regions are Asia (� 50% of global particulate nutrient export), South America (� 20%), and Africa (12%).

Direct and indirect effects of experimental warming on ecosystem carbon processes in a tallgrass prairie

Abstract: [1] This study was conducted to examine direct and indirect impacts of global warming on carbon processes in a tallgrass prairie in the U.S. Great Plains. Infrared radiators were used to simulate global warming, and clipping was used to mimic hay mowing. Experimental warming caused significant increases in green biomass in spring and autumn and total biomass in summer on most of the measuring dates. Green aboveground biomass showed positive linear correlations with soil temperature in spring and autumn whereas total aboveground biomass in summer was negatively correlated with soil temperature. Experimental warming also affected aboveground biomass indirectly by extending the length of growing season and changing soil nitrogen process. Elevated temperature tended to increase net nitrogen mineralization in the first year but decrease it in the second year, which could be attributable to stimulated plant growth and belowground carbon allocation and consequently enhanced microbial nitrogen immobilization. Warming-induced changes in soil respiration were proportional to those of total aboveground biomass. Clipping significantly reduced aboveground biomass and increased root biomass, but had no effect on net nitrogen mineralization and annual mean soil respiration. The proportional changes in soil respiration to those of aboveground biomass indicate warming-stimulated ecosystem carbon uptake could be weakened by increased carbon release through soil respiration.

Influences of boreal fire emissions on Northern Hemisphere atmospheric carbon and carbon monoxide

Abstract: [1] There were large interannual variations in burned area in the boreal region (ranging between 3.0 and 23.6 × 106 ha yr−1) for the period of 1992 and 1995–2003 which resulted in corresponding variations in total carbon and carbon monoxide emissions. We estimated a range of carbon emissions based on different assumptions on the depth of burning because of uncertainties associated with the burning of surface-layer organic matter commonly found in boreal forest and peatlands, and average total carbon emissions were 106–209 Tg yr−1 and CO emissions were 33–77 Tg CO yr−1. Burning of ground-layer organic matter contributed between 46 and 72% of all emissions in a given year. CO residuals calculated from surface mixing ratios in the high Northern Hemisphere (HNH) region were correlated to seasonal boreal fire emissions in 8 out of 10 years. On an interannual basis, variations in area burned explained 49% of the variations in HNH CO, while variations in boreal fire emissions explained 85%, supporting the hypotheses that variations in fuels and fire severity are important in estimating emissions. Average annual HNH CO increased by an average of 7.1 ppb yr−1 between 2000 and 2003 during a period when boreal fire emissions were 26 to 68 Tg CO−1 higher than during the early to mid-1990s, indicating that recent increases in boreal fires are influencing atmospheric CO in the Northern Hemisphere.

Decoupling of Iron and Phosphate in the Global Ocean

Abstract: [1] We formulate a mechanistic model of the coupled oceanic iron and phosphorus cycles The iron parameterization includes scavenging onto sinking particles, complexation with an organic ligand, and a prescribed aeolian source Export production is limited by the availability of light, phosphate, and iron We implement this biogeochemical scheme in a coarse resolution ocean general circulation model using scavenging rates and conditional stability constants guided by laboratory studies and a suite of box model sensitivity studies The model is able to reproduce the broad regional patterns of iron and phosphorus In particular, the high macronutrient concentrations of the Southern Ocean, tropical Pacific, and subarctic Pacific emerge from the explicit iron limitation of the model In addition, the model also qualitatively reproduces the observed interbasin gradients of deep, dissolved iron with the lowest values in the Southern Ocean The ubiquitous presence of significant amounts of free ligand is also explicitly captured We define a tracer, Fe* which quantifies the degree to which a water mass is iron limited, relative to phosphorus Surface waters in high-nutrient, lowchlorophyll regions have negative Fe* values, indicating Fe limitation The extent of the decoupling of iron and phosphorus is determined by the availability and binding strength of the ligand relative to the scavenging by particulate Global iron concentrations are sensitive to changes in scavenging rate and physical forcing Decreasing the scavenging rate 40% results in � 01 nM increase in dissolved iron in deep waters Forcing the model with weaker wind stresses leads to a decrease in surface [PO4] and [Fe ]i n the Southern Ocean due to a reduction in the upwelling strength

Response of primary production and calcification to changes of pCO2 during experimental blooms of the coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi

Abstract: [1] Primary production and calcification in response to different partial pressures of CO2 (PCO2) (“glacial,” “present,” and “year 2100” atmospheric CO2 concentrations) were investigated during a mesocosm bloom dominated by the coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi. The day-to-day dynamics of net community production (NCP) and net community calcification (NCC) were assessed during the bloom development and decline by monitoring dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA), together with oxygen production and 14C incorporation. When comparing year 2100 with glacial PCO2 conditions we observed: (1) no conspicuous change of net community productivity (NCPy); (2) a delay in the onset of calcification by 24 to 48 hours, reducing the duration of the calcifying phase in the course of the bloom; (3) a 40% decrease of NCC; and (4) enhanced loss of organic carbon from the water column. These results suggest a shift in the ratio of organic carbon to calcium carbonate production and vertical flux with rising atmospheric PCO2.

Changes in vegetation net primary productivity from 1982 to 1999 in China

Abstract: [1] Terrestrial net primary production (NPP) has been a central focus of ecosystem science in the past several decades because of its importance to the terrestrial carbon cycle and ecosystem processes. Modeling studies suggest that terrestrial NPP has increased in the northern middle and high latitudes in the past 2 decades, and that such increase has exhibited seasonal and spatial variability, but there are few detailed studies on the temporal and spatial patterns of NPP trend over time in China. Here we present the trends in China's terrestrial NPP from 1982 to 1999 and their driving forces using satellite-derived NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), climate data, and a satellite-based carbon model, CASA (Carnegie -Ames-Stanford Approach). The majority of China (86% of the study area) has experienced an increase in NPP during the period 1982–1999, with an annual mean increase rate of 1.03%. This increase was resulted primarily from plant growth in the middle of the growing season (June to August) (about 43.2%), followed by spring (33.7%). At the national and biome levels, the relative increase is largest in spring (March–May), indicating an earlier onset of the growing season. The changes in the phase of China's seasonal NPP curve may primarily be the result of advanced growing season (earlier spring) and enhanced plant growth in summer. During the past 2 decades the amplitude of the seasonal curve of NPP has increased and the annual peak NPP has advanced. Historical NPP trends also indicated a high degree of spatial heterogeneity, coupled with regional climate variations, agricultural practices, urbanization, and fire disturbance.

Lithologic composition of the Earth's continental surfaces derived from a new digital map emphasizing riverine material transfer

Abstract: [1] A new digital map of the lithology of the continental surfaces is proposed in vector mode (n ≈ 8300, reaggregated at 0.5° × 0.5° resolution) for 15 rock types (plus water and ice) targeted to surficial Earth system analysis (chemical weathering, land erosion, carbon cycling, sediment formation, riverine fluxes, aquifer typology, coastal erosion). These types include acid (0.98% at global scale) and basic (5.75%) volcanics, acid (7.23%) and basic (0.20%) plutonics, Precambrian basement (11.52%) and metamorphic rocks (4.07%), consolidated siliciclastic rocks (16.28%), mixed sedimentary (7.75%), carbonates (10.40%), semi- to un-consolidated sedimentary rocks (10.05%), alluvial deposits (15.48%), loess (2.62%), dunes (1.54%) and evaporites (0.12%). Where sediments, volcanics and metamorphosed rocks are too intimately mixed, a complex lithology (5.45%) class is added. Average composition is then tabulated for continents, ocean drainage basins, relief types (n = 7), 10° latitudinal bands, geological periods (n = 7), and exorheic versus endorheic domain and for formerly glaciated regions. Surficial lithology is highly heterogeneous and major differences are noted in any of these ensembles. Expected findings include the importance of alluvium and unconsolidated deposits in plains and lowlands, of Precambrian and metamorphic rocks in mid-mountain areas, the occurrence of loess, dunes and evaporites in dry regions, and of carbonates in Europe. Less expected are the large occurrences of volcanics (74% of their outcrops) in highly dissected relief and the importance of loess in South America. Prevalence of carbonate rocks between 15°N and 65°N and of Precambrian plus metamorphics in two bands (25°S–15°N and north of 55°N) is confirmed. Asia and the Atlantic Ocean drainage basin, without Mediterranean and Black Sea, are the most representative ensembles. In cratons the influence of ancient geological periods is often masked by young sediments, while active orogens have a specific composition.

Landscape‐scale modeling of carbon cycling under the impact of soil redistribution: The role of tillage erosion

Abstract: Despite its global significance, soil-atmosphere carbon (C) exchange under the impact of soil redistribution remains an unquantified component of the global C budget. Here we use radionuclide and soil organic carbon (SOC) data for two agricultural fields in Europe to undertake a spatial analysis of sediment and SOC fate during erosion and deposition in agricultural uplands. C fluxes induced by soil redistribution are quantified by incorporating C dynamics in a spatially distributed model including both water- and tillage-induced soil redistribution (SPEROS-C). The SOC patterns predicted by SPEROS- C are in good agreement with field observations and show that in upland areas, tillage erosion and deposition exerts a large influence on SOC redistribution and soil profile evolution at a timescale of a few decades. The formation of new SOC at eroding sites and the burial of eroded SOC below plough depth provide an important mechanism for C sequestration on sloping arable land in the order of 3–10 g C m 2 yr 1 . Any attempt to manage agricultural land to maximize sequestration must fully account for erosion, burial and fate of eroded and buried SOC across the landscape and must also account for the correlation between tillage and erosion.

Historical emissions of carbonaceous aerosols from biomass and fossil fuel burning for the period 1870–2000

Abstract: [i] Historical changes of black carbon (BC) and particulate organic matter (POM) emissions from biomass burning (BB) and fossil fuel (FF) burning are estimated from 1870 to 2000. A bottom-up inventory for open vegetation (OV) burning is scaled by a top-down estimate for the year 2000. Monthly and interannual variations are derived over the time period from 1979 to 2000 based on the TOMS satellite aerosol index (AI) and this global map. Prior to 1979, emissions are scaled to a CH 4 emissions inventory based on land-use change. Biofuel (BF) emissions from a recent inventory for developing countries are scaled forward and backward in time using population statistics and crop production statistics. In developed countries, wood consumption data together with emission factors for cooking and heating practices are used for biofuel estimates. For fossil fuel use, we use fuel consumption data and specific emission factors for different fuel use categories to develop an inventory over 1950-2000, and emissions are scaled to a CO 2 inventory prior to that time. Technology changes for emissions from the diesel transport sector are included. During the last decade of this time period, the BC and POM emissions from biomass burning (i.e., OV + BF) contribute a significant amount to the primary sources of BC and POM and are larger than those from FF. Thus 59% of the NH BC emissions and 90% of the NH POM emissions are from BB in 2000. Fossil fuel consumption technologies are needed prior to 1990 in order to improve estimates of fossil fuel emissions during the twentieth century. These results suggest that the aerosol emissions from biomass burning need to be represented realistically in climate change assessments. The estimated emissions are available on a 1° x 1° grid for global climate modeling studies of climate changes.

Iron in the Sargasso Sea (Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study region) during summer : eolian imprint, spatiotemporal variability, and ecological implications

Abstract: [1] We report iron measurements for water column and aerosol samples collected in the Sargasso Sea during July-August 2003 (summer 2003) and April-May 2004 (spring 2004). Our data reveal a large seasonal change in the dissolved iron (dFe) concentration of surface waters in the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study region, from ∼1–2 nM in summer 2003, when aerosol iron concentrations were high (mean 10 nmol m−3), to ∼0.1–0.2 nM in spring 2004, when aerosol iron concentrations were low (mean 0.64 nmol m−3). During summer 2003, we observed an increase of ∼0.6 nM in surface water dFe concentrations over 13 days, presumably due to eolian iron input; an estimate of total iron deposition over this same period suggests an effective solubility of 3–30% for aerosol iron. Our summer 2003 water column profiles show potentially growth-limiting dFe concentrations (0.02–0.19 nM) coinciding with a deep chlorophyll maximum at 100–150 m depth, where phytoplankton biomass is typically dominated by Prochlorococcus during late summer.

Global distribution and sources of dissolved inorganic nitrogen export to the coastal zone: Results from a spatially explicit, global model

Abstract: Here we describe, test, and apply a spatially explicit, global model for predicting dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export by rivers to coastal waters (NEWS-DIN). NEWS-DIN was developed as part of an internally consistent suite of global nutrient export models. Modeled and measured DIN export values agree well (calibration R-2 = 0.79), and NEWS-DIN is relatively free of bias. NEWS-DIN predicts: DIN yields ranging from 0.0004 to 5217 kg N km(-2) yr(-1) with the highest DIN yields occurring in Europe and South East Asia; global DIN export to coastal waters of 25 Tg N yr(-1), with 16 Tg N yr(-1) from anthropogenic sources; biological N-2 fixation is the dominant source of exported DIN; and globally, and on every continent except Africa, N fertilizer is the largest anthropogenic source of DIN export to coastal waters.

Global patterns and sources of dissolved organic matter export to the coastal zone: Results from a spatially explicit, global model

Abstract: [1] Here we describe, test, and apply a system of spatially explicit, global models for predicting river export of three dissolved organic matter (DOM) components: dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP). The DON and DOP models represent the first attempt to model DON and DOP export in a spatially explicit, global manner. DOC, DON, and DOP models explain 88%, 77%, and 91% of the variability in DOC, DON, and DOP yield (kg C, N, or P km−2 yr−1) from validation basins, respectively, and all models are relatively bias free. When applied globally, these models predict that 170 Tg C yr−1, 10 Tg N yr−1, and 0.6 Tg P yr−1 are exported by rivers to the coastal zone as DOC, DON, and DOP, respectively. Because predicted spatial patterns of export for DOC, DON, and DOP are all largely driven by water runoff, geographic distributions of high and low fluxes are fairly consistent across elements, with high fluxes of DOC, DON, and DOP generally predicted for high runoff systems and low fluxes predicted for arid systems. However, there are important regional differences in predicted rates of DOC, DON, and DOP export due to anthropogenic inputs of DON and DOP and wetland influence on DOC.