ARCTIC TEMPERATURE RISE SPURS CARBON DIOXIDE INCREASE.

• Position: Global warming would result in increased carbon dioxide levels that could accelerate the warming - Brief Article

An increase in arctic temperatures as a result of global warming could result in significantly higher levels of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. This, in turn, could fuel global warming even more.

A study supported by the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation discovered that artificially elevating summer temperatures by about 3.6 [degrees] F on plots of arctic tundra increased the [CO.sub.2] emissions by 26 to 38% under normal snowfall. When snowfall on some plots was increased--which is one possibility with global warming--[CO.sub.2] emissions increased 112 to 326%.

"We found significant losses of carbon dioxide from the soil of the tundra," notes Michael Jones, a postdoctoral researcher in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at Ohio State University, Columbus. "Anticipated global warming may increase this carbon loss."

The arctic, which covers about one-fifth of the globe, contains nearly one-third of the Earth's stored soil carbon. Arctic carbon loss from respiration of [CO.sub.2] by plants and soil microorganisms far surpasses the amount taken in by plants each growing season. Carbon dioxide is a major factor in global warming.

Jones and his colleagues measured [CO.sub.2] emissions from moist and dry tundra surrounding Toolik Lake, Alaska. The researchers believe carbon dioxide loss may be different in moist and dry tundra areas. They manipulated winter precipitation in each area by setting up a large snow fence on...