Caldeira Lab Research
Overview
The Caldeira Lab conducts research to try to improve the science base needed to allow human civilization to develop while protecting our environmental endowment.
The Caldeira Lab investigates:
Ongoing changes to Earth's climate and carbon cycle
Humanity has been releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and transforming the surface of the Earth. This is changing Earth's carbon cycle and climate.
The Caldeira lab conducts research to understand ongoing changes to Earth's climate and carbon cycle.
Bala, G., K. Caldeira, A. Mirin, M. Wickett and C. Delire, Multicentury changes to the global climate and carbon cycle: Results from a coupled climate and carbon cycle model. Journal of Climate 18 (21) 4531-4544, 2005.
Govindasamy, B., S. Thompson, A. Mirin, M. Wickett, K. Caldeira and C. Delire Increase of carbon cycle feedback with climate sensitivity: results from a coupled climate and carbon cycle model Tellus B 57 (2), 153-163 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2005.00135.x, 2005.
Thompson SL, Govindasamy B, Mirin A, K. Caldeira, C. Delire, J. Milovich, M. Wickett, and D. Erickson. Quantifying the effects of CO2-fertilized vegetation on future global climate and carbon dynamics. Geophysical Research Letters 31 (23): Art. No. L23211 DEC 11 2004
Climate and carbon-cycle changes in the ancient past
Examination of Earth's ancient past can help us to understand the dynamics of Earth's climate and carbon cycle, and help us to anticipate possible consequences of planetary scale interference in these systems.
The Caldeira lab conducts research to understand changes to Earth's ancient climate and carbon cycle and their implications for the future.
Pagani, M., K. Caldeira, D. Archer and J.C. Zachos, An ancient carbon mystery. Science 314, 1556-1557, 2006.
Rampino, M.R., and K. Caldeira, Major perturbation of ocean chemistry and a "Strangelove Ocean" after the end-Permian mass extinction, Terra Nova 17 (6) 554-559,2005.
Ridgwell, A,J,, M.J. Kennedy, and K. Caldeira, Carbonate deposition, climate stability, and Neoproterozoic ice ages, Science 302, 859-862, 2003.
Ocean carbon cycle and biogeochemistry
Over several centuries, most of the carbon dioxide we release to the atmosphere will be absorbed by the oceans. Thus, atmospheric carbon dioxide changes depend on processes occuring in the ocean.
The Caldeira lab conducts research to improve our understanding of the ocean carbon cycle and ocean biogeochemistry.
Grumet, N.S., P.B. Duffy, M.E. Wickett, K. Caldeira, and R.B. Dunbar, Intrabasin comparison of surface radiocarbon levels in the Indian Ocean between coral records and three-dimensional global ocean models. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 19 (2) GB2010, 2005.
Doney S.C., K. Lindsay K, Caldeira, J.-M. Campin, H. Drange, J.-C. Dutay, M. Follows, Y. Gao, A. Gnanadesikan, N. Gruber, A. Ishida, F. Joos,G. Madec, E. Maier-Reimer, J. C. Marshall, R. J. Matear, P. Monfray, A. Mouchet, R. Najjar, J. C. Orr, G.-K. Plattner, J. Sarmiento, R. Schlitzer, R. Slater, I. J. Totterdell, M.-F. Weirig, Y. Yamanaka, and A. Yool. Evaluating global ocean carbon models: The importance of realistic physics. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 18 (3): Art. No. GB3017, 2004.
Matsumoto K, Sarmiento JL, Key RM, Aumont O, Bullister JL, Caldeira K, Campin JM, Doney SC, Drange H, Dutay JC, Follows M, Gao Y, Gnanadesikan A, Gruber N, Ishida A, Joos F, Lindsay K, Maier-Reimer E, Marshall JC, Matear RJ, Monfray P, Mouchet A, Najjar R, Plattner GK, Schlitzer R, Slater R, Swathi PS, Totterdell IJ, Weirig MF, Yamanaka Y, Yool A, Orr JC, Evaluation of ocean carbon cycle models with data-based metrics, Geophysical Research Letters 31, Art No. L007303, 2004.
Caldeira, K., and P.B. Duffy, The role of the Southern Ocean in uptake and storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, Science 287, 620-622, 2000.
Ocean acidification
Carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean where it forms carbonic acid. This poses new challenges for marine organisms, especially those that make their shells or skeletons out of carbonate minerals.
The Caldeira lab engages in research to predict future ocean chemistry changes and the impact of those changes on marine biota.
Caldeira, K., and M.E. Wickett, Ocean model predictions of chemistry changes from carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research (Oceans) 110, C09S04, doi:10.1029/2004JC002671, 2005.
Caldeira, K., and M.E. Wickett, Anthropogenic carbon and ocean pH, Nature 425, 365-365, 2003.
Land cover and climate change
Changes to land cover affects climate both through changes in carbon storage and through more direct 'biophysical' mechanisms such as changes in albedo (reflectivitity), evapotranspiration, and surface roughness.
The Caldeira lab engages in research to understand combine carbon-cycle and biophysical effects of land-cover change.
Bala, G., K. Caldeira, M. Wickett., T.J. Philips, D.B. Lobell, C. Delire and A. Mirin, Combined Climate and Carbon-Cycle Effects of Large-Scale Deforestation. PNAS in press, 2007.
Bala, G., K. Caldeira, A. Mirin, M. Wickett., C. Delire and T.J. Philips, Biogeophysical effects of CO2 fertilization on global climate. Tellus B 58 (5) 620-627, 2006.
Gibbard, S., K. Caldeira, G. Bala, T.J. Philips and M. Wickett, Climate effects of global land cover change. Geophysical Research Letters 32 (23) L23705, 2005.
Govindasamy, B., P.B. Duffy, and K. Caldeira, Land use changes and Northern Hemisphere cooling, Geophysical Research Letters 28, 291-294, 2001.
Link to a phone message left by one of my admirers.
Carbon-neutral energy for economic growth and environmental preservation
Vast amounts of energy will be needed to fuel growth and development throughout the world. We need to find ways of providing this vast amount of energy in ways that are both affordable and environmentally benign.
The Caldeira Lab engages in research to help identify how we might provide needed energy services while preserving our environmental endowment.
Rau, G.H., K.G. Knaussm W.H. Langer and K. Caldeira. Reducing energy-related CO2 emissions using accelerated weathering of limestone. Energy (in press).
Roberts, B.W., S.H. Shepard, K. Caldeira, M.E. Cannon, D.G. Eccles, A.J. Grenier and J.F. Freidlin, Harnessing high altitude wind power. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion (in press).
Caldeira, K., G. Morgan, D. Baldocchi, P. Brewer, C.-T. Arthur Chen, G.-J. Nabuurs, N. Nakicenovic, P. Robertson, A portfolio of carbon management options, in Towards CO2 Stabilization: Issues, Strategies, and Consequences, A SCOPE report (Scientific Committee on Problems in the Environment) C. Field and M. Raupach, editors (pp. 103-129, Island Press, Washington DC) 2004.
Caldeira, K., A.K. Jain, and M.I. Hoffert, Climate sensitivity uncertainty and the need for energy without CO2 emission, Science 299, 2052-2054, 2003.
Hoffert, M.I., K. Caldeira, G. Benford, D.R. Criswell, C. Green, H. Herzog, J.W. Katzenberger, H.S. Kheshgi, K.S. Lackner, J.S. Lewis, W. Manheimer, J.C. Mankins, G. Marland, M.E. Mauel, L.J. Perkins, M.E. Schlesinger, T. Volk, and T.M.L. Wigley, Advanced technology paths to global climate stability: Energy for a greenhouse planet, Science 295, 981-987, 2002.
Hoffert M.I., K. Caldeira, A.K. Jain, E.F. Haites, L.D.D. Harvey, S. D. Potter, M.E. Schlesinger, S. H. Schneider, R.G. Watts, T. M. L Wigley, and D. J. Wuebbles. Energy implications of future stabilization of atmospheric CO2 content. Nature 395, 881-884, 1998.
Geoengineering
The Caldeira lab conducts research to understand options to help avoid dangerous climate change. It has been proposed that engineering a reduction in absorption of solar radiation might mitigate some of the damage from climate change.
The Caldeira lab investigates the intended and unintended consequences of geoengineering proposals.
