Interannual variability of carbon cycle implied by a 2-D atmospheric transport model

Article type: Research Article

Authors: LI, Can | XU, Li | SHAO, Min | ZHANG, Ren-jian

Affiliations: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China | National Climate Center, Chinese Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China | State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: A 2-dimensional atmospheric transport model is deployed in a simplified CO_2 inverse study. Calculated carbon flux distribution for the interval from 1981 to 1997 confirms the existence of a terrestrial carbon sink in mid-high latitude area of North Hemisphere. Strong interannual variability exists in carbon flux patterns, implying a possible link with ENSO and other natural episodes such as Pinatubo volcano eruption in 1991. Mechanism of this possible link was investigated with statistic method. Correlation analysis indicated that in North Hemisphere, climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation, to some extend, could influence the carbon cycle process of land and ocean, thus cause considerable change in carbon flux distribution. In addition, correlation study also demonstrated the possible important role of Asian terrestrial ecosystems in carbon cycle.

Keywords: 2-D transport model, inverse study, carbon cycle, ENSO, interannual variability

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 779-783, 2004