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Effects of increased CO2 concentrations on surface temperature of the early earthIt 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.
Document ID
19830042038
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Kuhn, W. R.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Kasting, J. F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 6, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 301
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
83A23256
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7308
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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