Insights from Time Series of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Related Tracers

The past century has been a time of unparalleled changes in global climate and global biogeochemistry. At the forefront of the study of these changes are regular time-series observations at remote stations of atmospheric CO2, isotopes of CO2, and related species, such as O-2 and carbonyl sulfide (COS). These records now span many decades and contain a wide spectrum of signals, from seasonal cycles to long-term trends. These signals are variously related to carbon sources and sinks, rates of photosynthesis and respiration of both land and oceanic ecosystems, and rates of air-sea exchange, providing unique insights into natural biogeochemical cycles and their ongoing changes. This review provides a broad overview of these records, focusing on what they have taught us about large-scale global biogeochemical change.

Automated summary

The past century has witnessed unprecedented changes in global climate and biogeochemistry. Through regular time-series observations on atmospheric CO2, isotopes of CO2, and related species, unique insights into natural biogeochemical cycles and their ongoing changes have been gained, providing significant understanding of large-scale global biogeochemical change.