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The ongoing increase of CO2 in the atmosphere is the main driver of global warming. It is very likely that enormous investments will soon be made to lower CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, our current main source of energy. Furthermore, the global climate system may have unpleasant feedbacks in store for us. For example, thawing of permafrost soils at high latitudes could potentially release more CH4 and CO2 than the accumulated emissions of fossil fuel CO2 thus far. This could dramatically change desired fossil fuel emissions pathways. Carbon cycle research at ESRL is aimed at two main areas. To help with mitigation of emissions, we work to devise and operate objective methods for quantifying emissions (and uptake), based on atmospheric observations of CO2, CH4, and many other compounds. To provide early warning of feedback effects such as permafrost thaw, we need to develop an efficient and robust measurement strategy focused on the Arctic. Interested graduate students have options to work in different areas. You could improve analytical methods (chemistry), interpret data directly (chemistry and statistics), create better measurement strategies (meteorology, esp. boundary layer), or work to improve the numerical methods used to infer emissions or uptake from observed mole fraction data (high end computing).
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NOAA ESRL Contact
Pieter Tans
Pieter.Tans@noaa.gov |
