<p><span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> does not fall back quickly:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>graph shows the IPCC 2007 <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> liftime from a computer model run that shows what happens to a single instantaneous pulse of <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> emitted to the atmosphere. One thousand years after the <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> is emitted to the atmosphere 20% is still there according to this model.<br>
  <a href="http://www.onlyzerocarbon.org/carbon_dioxide.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">only zero carbon</a>
  <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/xGgoh.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xGgoh.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>The decline shown is mostly due to <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> dissolving in the oceans.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T19:31:03.243Z
2020-01-04T19:25:27.267Z
2020-01-04T19:25:27.267Z
Keith McClary
<p>It is stated in <a href="https://cdiac.ess-dive.lbl.gov/trends/co2/ice_core_co2.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://cdiac.ess-dive.lbl.gov/trends/co2/ice_core_co2.html</a> that the temporal uncertainty for the glacier <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> records is less than <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{5~\%}$</span> at any given moment. That means ‒ for example ‒ ca. <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{5,\!000}$</span> years at <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{100,\!000}$</span> years ago.  Could there have been peaks in the <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> record that rose and fell back so quickly we wouldn't be able to detect them? Is there some paper or perhaps a monography that lists all the possible events in Earth's history that could have occurred in the last <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{800,\!000}$</span> or more years, which would lead to a likewise fast <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> increase as today's, but also showing that, on the other hand, any such events would leave a long-lasting trace in the <span class="math-container">$\small\mathsf{CO_2}$</span> that should be easily detectable in the record?</p>

<p>I've found out that part of the answer is already in answers to <a href="https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/18141/is-there-any-natural-phenomenon-that-can-account-for-the-100-fold-faster-co2-rat">this question</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T03:50:17.050Z
It's not clear what the remaining part of your question is. Could you edit it? The resolution of the record is annual layers. I think the "temporal uncertainty" refers to the cumulative uncertainty due to disturbed/missing sections of the core.
Keith McClary
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T09:25:39.773Z
I believe Degauss is asking about the detectability of hypothetical short-lasting peak in the CO₂ record.  I don't know if such peaks (rising *and* falling very quickly) are physical, but the question of detectability is a valid one.
gerrit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T09:29:48.160Z
Hi Degauss, welcome to the site.  We were not entirely sure what you meant.  I have edited your question for clarification, please [edit it again](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/posts/18409/edit) if this was not was you intended.
gerrit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-08T23:14:19.357Z
You had edited it so well I didn't spot the difference at first. :D First I thought it would be too dumb to ask for peaks that were just "quick" but I admit that now it is more readable.
Degauss
<climate-change><paleoclimatology><co2><literature-request>
In the 800 kyr $\ce{CO_2}$ record, how detectable would a short-term peak be?
Degauss
# In the 800 kyr $\ce{CO_2}$ record, how detectable would a short-term peak be?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-11-07)

It is stated in <https://cdiac.ess-dive.lbl.gov/trends/co2/ice_core_co2.html> that the temporal uncertainty for the glacier $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ records is less than $\small\mathsf{5~\%}$ at any given moment. That means ‒ for example ‒ ca. $\small\mathsf{5,\!000}$ years at $\small\mathsf{100,\!000}$ years ago. Could there have been peaks in the $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ record that rose and fell back so quickly we wouldn't be able to detect them? Is there some paper or perhaps a monography that lists all the possible events in Earth's history that could have occurred in the last $\small\mathsf{800,\!000}$ or more years, which would lead to a likewise fast $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ increase as today's, but also showing that, on the other hand, any such events would leave a long-lasting trace in the $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ that should be easily detectable in the record?

I've found out that part of the answer is already in answers to [this question](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/18141/is-there-any-natural-phenomenon-that-can-account-for-the-100-fold-faster-co2-rat).

**Tags:** climate-change, paleoclimatology, co2, literature-request

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It's not clear what the remaining part of your question is. Could you edit it? The resolution of the record is annual layers. I think the "temporal uncertainty" refers to the cumulative uncertainty due to disturbed/missing sections of the core.  
> **username_2**: I believe username_0 is asking about the detectability of hypothetical short-lasting peak in the CO₂ record.  I don't know if such peaks (rising *and* falling very quickly) are physical, but the question of detectability is a valid one.  
> **username_2**: Hi username_0, welcome to the site.  We were not entirely sure what you meant.  I have edited your question for clarification, please [edit it again](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/posts/18409/edit) if this was not was you intended.  
> **username_0**: You had edited it so well I didn't spot the difference at first. :D First I thought it would be too dumb to ask for peaks that were just "quick" but I admit that now it is more readable.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-11-08. Score: 2

$\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ does not fall back quickly:

> graph shows the IPCC 2007 $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ liftime from a computer model run that shows what happens to a single instantaneous pulse of $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ emitted to the atmosphere. One thousand years after the $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ is emitted to the atmosphere 20% is still there according to this model.  
> [only zero carbon](http://www.onlyzerocarbon.org/carbon_dioxide.html)
> [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/xGgoh.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/xGgoh.png)

The decline shown is mostly due to $\small\mathsf{CO\_2}$ dissolving in the oceans.


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