The Carbon Cycle - Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration - page 124

120

Atmosphere: 600 Gt C

0.15

Terrestrial:
2,100 Gt C

120

90

90

Surface ocean:
700 Gt C

0.15

1.2

5

4

CaCO 3

C org CO 2

Deep ocean: 38,000 Gt C

Sediments and crust:
48,000,000 Gt C

0.15

Figure 3.5.1 The box model of the carbon cycle before 1870
This animation can be viewed at : http://www.worldscientifi c.com/worldscibooks/
10.1142/p911#t=suppl

Atmosphere: 600 Gt C

0.15

9

Terrestrial:
2,100 Gt C

45%

30%

Surface ocean:
700 Gt C

25%

So far we have
added 500 Gt

Fossil fuels:
3,700 Gt C

Deep ocean: 38,000 Gt C

Sediments and crust:
48,000,000 Gt C

0.15

Figure 3.5.2 The box model of the carbon cycle in 2012
This animation can be viewed at : http://www.worldscientifi c.com/worldscibooks/
10.1142/p911#t=suppl

of CO 2 . To the best of our current understanding, some of this excess is
absorbed by the oceans (~25%) and some by the biosphere (~30%). The
remaining ~45% is the accumulation in the atmosphere that is responsi-
ble for the increase in CO 2 levels that we presently measure.