Rivers are exhaling ancient carbon — and climate math just changed

Recent studies have unveiled that rivers are releasing ancient carbon, significantly altering our understanding of the global carbon cycle. Scientists previously thought that most carbon dioxide and methane emissions from rivers originated from contemporary organic matter. However, new findings suggest that a substantial portion comes from ancient carbon stores, deeply influencing climate calculations. This revelation stems from advanced research techniques that trace the age and origin of carbon molecules emitted by rivers. These emissions, once thought to be part of a short-term cycle, are now linked to ancient carbon reserves, potentially stored for thousands of years. This discovery challenges existing climate models, which must now account for these long-term carbon sources in their projections. The implications are profound, as the release of ancient carbon could exacerbate climate change impacts by introducing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than previously accounted for. Scientists emphasize the need for revised climate models and policies that consider this newfound data, underscoring the complexity of Earth's carbon cycle and its effects on global warming.

— Authored by Next24 Live