A negative feedback mechanism for the long-term stabilization of Earth's surface temperature.

J. C.G. Walker, P. B. Hays, J. F. Kasting

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Abstract

We suggest 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, and surface temperature, in turn, depends on carbon dioxide partial pressure through the greenhouse effect. Although the quantitative details of this mechanism are speculative, it appears able partially to stabilize earth's surface temperature. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9776-9782
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research
Volume86
Issue numberC10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Forestry
  • Aquatic Science
  • Soil Science
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Earth-Surface Processes
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Geophysics
  • Oceanography
  • Palaeontology
  • Ecology
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Atmospheric Science

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