Tipping Point

[Kyrisch]

So my physics teacher was telling us about a climatologist who is predicted a tipping point in the whole global warming fiasco within the next decade. Apparently some studies showed much LESS CO2 in the air than what should be there based on our emissions. Upon investigation, it was found that a large quantity of it was being dissolved into the ocean. His theory is based on the simple characteristics of gas solubility in liquid. It is known that cooler solvent can dissolve more gaseous solute. As such, he predicted a time when the rise in temperature will cause the ocean to be able to dissolve less and less of our emitted CO2 and reach a point of saturation when the ocean itself will actually begin emitting CO2 into the atmosphere as well. At this point, the former negative feedback loop of CO2 emission versus absorption will become and positive feedback loop and we will basically all be screwed. Has anyone heard anything about this? I'm curious to see an actual report by this scientist on this theory.

[iNow]

Has anyone heard anything about this? I'm curious to see an actual report by this scientist on this theory.

 

Yes! I have heard about this, and read about it, too.

 

Here ya go. Here's one study which directly supports your teacher's contention quite clearly:

 

 

As per a study in the 22 June 2007 issue of the Journal Science, the ocean's ability to absorb CO₂ is decreasing.

 

 

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1136188

 

Saturation of the Southern Ocean CO2 Sink Due to Recent Climate Change

 

Based on observed atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and an inverse method, we estimate that the Southern Ocean sink of CO2 has weakened between 1981 and 2004 by 0.08 petagrams of carbon per year per decade relative to the trend expected from the large increase in atmospheric CO2. We attribute this weakening to the observed increase in Southern Ocean winds resulting from human activities, which is projected to continue in the future. Consequences include a reduction of the efficiency of the Southern Ocean sink of CO2 in the short term (about 25 years) and possibly a higher level of stabilization of atmospheric CO2 on a multicentury time scale.

 

 

 

 

 

Since you probably don't have a subscription to view the full text of the article, here is a link to an article presented on this issue elsewhere:

 

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070517142558.htm

Scientists have observed the first evidence that the Southern Ocean’s ability to absorb the major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, has weakened by about 15 per cent per decade since 1981.

 

In research published in Science, an international research team – including CSIRO’s Dr Ray Langenfelds – concludes that the Southern Ocean carbon dioxide sink has weakened over the past 25 years and will be less efficient in the future. Such weakening of one of the Earth’s major carbon dioxide sinks will lead to higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the long-term.