A 3-DIMENSIONAL SYNTHESIS STUDY OF DELTA-O-18 IN ATMOSPHERIC CO2 .1. SURFACE FLUXES

The isotope O-18 in CO2 is of particular interest in studying the glob al carbon cycle because it is sensitive to the processes by which the global land biosphere absorbs and respires CO2. Carbon dioxide and wat er exchange isotopically both in leaves and in soils, and the O-18 cha racter of atmospheric CO2 is strongly influenced by the land biota, wh ich should constrain the gross primary productivity and total respirat ion of land ecosystems, In this study we calculate the global surface fluxes of O-18 for vegetation and soils using the SiB2 biosphere model coupled with the Colorado State University general circulation model. This approach makes it possible to use physiological variables that a re consistently weighted by the carbon assimilation rate and integrate d through the vegetation canopy, We also calculate the air-sea exchang e of O-18 and the isotopic character of fossil emissions and biomass b urning. Global mean values of the isotopic exchange with each reservoi r are used to close the global budget of O-18 in CO2 results confirm t he fact that the land biota exert a dominant control on the delta(18)O of the atmospheric reservoir, At the global scale, exchange with the canopy produces an isotopic enrichment of CO2, whereas exchange with s oils has the opposite effect.