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www.clim-past-discuss.net/6/2199/2010/
doi:10.5194/cpd-6-2199-2010
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under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
A permafrost glacial hypothesis to explain atmospheric CO2 and the ice ages during the Pleistocene
1Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, USA
2Institute of Geomorphology and Department of Soil Physics, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
3Institute of Soil Science and Soil Geography, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
*now at: Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract. Over the past several 100 ka glacial-interglacial cycles, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 was closely coupled to global temperature, which indicates the importance of CO2 as a greenhouse gas. The reasons for changes in atmospheric CO2 have mainly been sought in the ocean, yet proxy evidence does not support the notion of increased oceanic carbon storage during glacials. Here we present results from the first permafrost loess sequence in Siberia spanning two glacial cycles (~240 ka), which reveal that permafrost soils repeatedly sequestered huge amounts of terrestrial carbon during glacial periods. This can be explained with permafrost favouring more intensive waterlogging conditions and better preservation of soil organic matter. Terrestrial carbon stored in permafrost soils was released upon warming and provided a powerful feedback mechanism for the glacial terminations. We outline a "permafrost glacial hypothesis" building on integrated annual insolation forcing, which readily explains the observed succession of the ice ages during the Pleistocene, including the mid-Pleistocene transition.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 6998 KB) Supplement (1206 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 7 Comments) Final Revised Paper (CP)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Zech, R., Huang, Y., Zech, M., Tarozo, R., and Zech, W.: A permafrost glacial hypothesis to explain atmospheric CO2 and the ice ages during the Pleistocene, Clim. Past Discuss., 6, 2199-2221, doi:10.5194/cpd-6-2199-2010, 2010. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
