Earth's natural thermostat regulates global temperatures
- 7 years ago
LONDON — Scientists have long speculated the earth has a natural thermostat that regulates global temperatures by increasing or decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Now a new study, published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters, suggests this could be true.
Researchers have found a correlation between greater deposits of lithium in limestone rocks and warmer periods in the planet's history, when the earth's "weathering thermostat" process sped up.
Carbon dioxide traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. A dip in carbon dioxide levels can potentially cause an ice age, while a spike can make the planet heat up.
The earth regulates carbon dioxide through the weathering thermostat, Popular Science reported, citing the study.
Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere when it dissolves in rainwater and combines with rocks to form bicarbonate. When rocks dissolve in water, the bicarbonate combines with calcium to form limestone, locking carbon dioxide inside.
Movement of tectonic plates then draws the limestone under the earth's crust. The carbon dioxide eventually returns to the atmosphere when it separates from the limestone and is thrust out in volcanic eruptions.
The earth's thermostat responds to changes in the planet's temperature, according to researchers, Heat speeds up the weathering process, while cold slows it down.
Other influences on the climate include solar activity, the growth of vegetation, and the impact of human activity.
Scientists believe the earth's natural thermostat cannot keep up with man-made climate change, and are now looking into ways to artificially speed up weathering to counter global warming.
Now a new study, published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters, suggests this could be true.
Researchers have found a correlation between greater deposits of lithium in limestone rocks and warmer periods in the planet's history, when the earth's "weathering thermostat" process sped up.
Carbon dioxide traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. A dip in carbon dioxide levels can potentially cause an ice age, while a spike can make the planet heat up.
The earth regulates carbon dioxide through the weathering thermostat, Popular Science reported, citing the study.
Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere when it dissolves in rainwater and combines with rocks to form bicarbonate. When rocks dissolve in water, the bicarbonate combines with calcium to form limestone, locking carbon dioxide inside.
Movement of tectonic plates then draws the limestone under the earth's crust. The carbon dioxide eventually returns to the atmosphere when it separates from the limestone and is thrust out in volcanic eruptions.
The earth's thermostat responds to changes in the planet's temperature, according to researchers, Heat speeds up the weathering process, while cold slows it down.
Other influences on the climate include solar activity, the growth of vegetation, and the impact of human activity.
Scientists believe the earth's natural thermostat cannot keep up with man-made climate change, and are now looking into ways to artificially speed up weathering to counter global warming.