Carbon Cycle Research in China - October 1997

Carbon Cycle Research in China - October 1997

In China, research on the carbon cycle is being conducted to combat climate change. The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon circulates through the atmosphere, oceans, land, and biosphere and plays an important role in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. The ocean, in particular, is a major carbon sink for atmospheric CO2, absorbing approximately 3 billion tons of CO2 annually and contributing to climate change mitigation. China is collecting data in coastal waters to analyze the dynamics of the carbon cycle by measuring the chemical composition, temperature, and salinity of seawater and the activities of marine organisms. Since the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon is limited and there are concerns about rising seawater temperatures and ocean acidification, an accurate understanding of the mechanisms and appropriate climate policies are needed.