How increased co2 increases the temperature

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    Co2 Temperature
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between increased CO2 levels and temperature, specifically how rising temperatures may further increase CO2 levels. The scope includes theoretical explanations and potential feedback mechanisms related to climate change.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that increased temperature reduces the solubility of CO2 in seawater, leading to higher atmospheric CO2 levels.
  • Others reference Henry's Law to explain that as temperature rises, the solubility of gases like CO2 decreases.
  • A later reply introduces the concern that increased water temperatures may liberate methane from arctic reserves, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, suggesting a positive feedback loop between atmospheric and ocean temperatures.
  • There is mention of the shift in seawater pH due to rising temperatures, which may affect the forms of dissolved carbon species and their escape into the atmosphere.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the mechanisms by which temperature influences CO2 levels, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of interactions between temperature, CO2 solubility, and methane release, with some assumptions about the relationships and feedback mechanisms remaining unresolved.

keepitmoving
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I understand how increased CO2 increases the temperature but how does an increase in temperature increase the CO2 level?
 
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keepitmoving said:
I understand how increased CO2 increases the temperature but how does an increase in temperature increase the CO2 level?

Primarily by reducing the solubility of CO2 in sea water.

Cheers -- sylas
 


thanks.
 


Henry's Law Explains Sylas' explanation. As temperature increases, solubility of permanent gases tends to decrease. The real concern with increased water temperature, however, is not that more CO2 is liberated- but that arctic underwater methane reserves are. Methane is a FAR more potent greenhouse gas than CO2 is and the relationship between increased atmospheric temperature and increased water temperature is that they are in a positive feedback loop. (higher atmospheric temp heat the oceans, which liberates more dissolved methane, which increases atmospheric temp, which heats the oceans, and so on) Environmentalists and geoscientists are working on finding ways of curbing this reinforcement cycle before it reaches a tipping point of exponential growth and can't be stopped. Furthermore, as the temperature of seawater increases, the pH is shifted toward the acidic, and carbon dioxide that has been converted to it's dissolved state of HCO3- is shifted toward it's more basic CO2 form, which then escapes the water and enters the atmosphere.
 

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