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Unfortunately there is no magic fingerprint to distinguish between tectonic, volcanic and antropogenic carbon. The thing is that there are about 130 000 intrapl

Unfortunately there is no magic fingerprint to distinguish between tectonic, volcanic and antropogenic carbon. The thing is that there are about 130 000 intraplate volcanoes leaking co2 to the ocean all the time. And it is very probable that the whole human output to carbon release during the whole industrial history is less than carbon input of the Pacific Ridge in just 10 years. Another thing is that over the last 800 years or so volcanic activity increased. So 30 percent or such increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during the last 100 years is not a human sin. Planet is larger than you think, and humanity is smaller. Take a hike up the Yenisei river from Chita, see for yourself.

yongjik 11y ago
> Unfortunately there is no magic fingerprint to distinguish between tectonic, volcanic and antropogenic carbon. Wrong again. Fossil fuels come from plants and animals, and they all ultimately come from photosynthesis, which prefers C12 over slightly heavier C13 atoms.[1] As a result, CO2 emitted by burning fossil fuels have a lower concentration of C13. "Plants have a lower C13/C12 ratio than in the atmosphere. If rising atmospheric CO2 comes fossil fuels, the C13/C12 should be falling. Indeed this is what is occuring (Ghosh 2003) and the trend correlates with the trend in global emissions."[2] As for "humanity is smaller", I'll refer to the excellent xkcd[3]. I believe no further elaboration is necessary. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopic_signature#Carbon_isotopes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopic_signature#Carbon_isot... [2] http://www.skepticalscience.com/print.php?r=109 http://www.skepticalscience.com/print.php?r=109 [3] http://xkcd.com/1338/ http://xkcd.com/1338/