Publication Date:
2019-06-28
Description:
It is pointed out that enhanced levels of CO2 in the atmosphere could have provided the necessary warming to maintain the temperature above freezing. The processes that have been proposed for these larger amounts of CO2 are increased tectonic activity, a decrease in the solubility of CO2 in the oceans, rock weathering, and sediment deposition. It is shown here that large CO2 concentrations are necessary to maintain the early earth's surface temperature at approximately today's level. A thousand times the present atmospheric level of CO2 in the atmosphere would yield a temperature of 292 K, whereas a 100-fold increase in CO2 concentration would give a temperature of 284 K. The surface warming is highly dependent on the amount of water vapor and clouds, and knowledge of both of these during the early history of the earth is scant.
Keywords:
GEOPHYSICS
Type:
Nature; 301; Jan. 6
Format:
text
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