Simulated Atmospheric Carbon Concentrations 

Carbon exists in many forms—e.g., carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO)—and continually cycles through Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems. This visualization, created using data from the 7-km GEOS-5 Nature Run model, shows average column concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ (colored shades) and CO (white shades underneath) from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. 

CO₂ variations are largely controlled by fossil fuel emissions and seasonal fluxes of carbon between the atmosphere and land biosphere. For example, dark red and pink shades represent regions where CO₂ concentrations are enhanced by carbon sources, mainly from human activities. During Northern Hemisphere spring and summer months, plants absorb a substantial amount of CO₂ through photosynthesis, thus removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Atmospheric CO, a pollutant harmful to human health, is produced mainly from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning. Here, high concentrations of CO (white) are mainly from fire activity in Africa, South America, and Australia. Scientists use model output data such as these to help answer important questions about Earth’s climate. 


For more information: 
gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/GEOS 

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