New research based on sediment analysis from the Pacific Ocean has produced alarming results concerning the potential impact of CO2 on Earth’s temperature. Conducted by researchers from the NIOZ, Utrecht University, and the University of Bristol, the study suggests that doubling atmospheric CO2 levels could cause Earth’s average temperature to rise by 7 to 14 degrees Celsius, a figure significantly higher than current estimates by the United Nations’ IPCC, which range from 2.3 to 4.5 degrees Celsius.
The data derived from a 45-year-old drill core from the ocean floor off California, which has experienced oxygen-free conditions for millions of years, preserving organic matter more effectively. This environment has facilitated a novel examination of past seawater temperatures and ancient atmospheric CO2 levels over the last 18 million years.
The method employed to deduce these temperatures, known as the TEX86 method, utilizes substances from the membrane of archaea found in ocean sediments. This innovative approach has revealed that 15 million years ago, Earth’s average temperature was approximately 18 degrees Celsius, around 4 degrees Celsius warmer than today.
Further, the study introduces a groundbreaking technique for quantifying historical atmospheric CO2 content using the chemical composition of chlorophyll and cholesterol from algae. The findings indicate a significant drop in CO2 levels from about 650 parts per million 15 million years ago to 280 just before the industrial revolution.
The relationship between derived temperature and atmospheric CO2 levels plotted against each other over this period shows a strong correlation, highlighting the potential for drastic temperature increases in our future if significant measures are not taken to reduce CO2 emissions and innovate technologically.
This research serves as a stark warning that the potential influence of CO2 on global temperatures might be more substantial than currently acknowledged, urging for intensified efforts in emission reduction and technological advancements. For more details on this compelling study, visit SciTechDaily.