NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
A negative feedback mechanism for the long-term stabilization of the earth's surface temperatureIt is suggested that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is buffered, over geological time scales, by a negative feedback mechanism, in which the rate of weathering of silicate minerals (followed by deposition of carbonate minerals) depends on surface temperature, which in turn depends on the carbon dioxide partial pressure through the greenhouse effect. Although the quantitative details of this mechanism are speculative, it appears able to partially stabilize the earth's surface temperature against the steady increase of solar luminosity, believed to have occurred since the origin of the solar system.
Document ID
19820028612
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Walker, J. C. G.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Hays, P. B.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Kasting, J. F.
(National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
October 20, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 86
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
82A12147
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-176
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available