Turing instability analysis applied to an analytical model of the global carbon cycle

Abstract

In the study of the climate system, different results are based on the premise that establishes that greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere are well mixed. Some examples are the GHG concentration scenarios for future projections presented by the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Climate Change, where this homogeneous concentration of gases is assumed. In this work, a stability analysis is carried out, using the Turing pattern technique, for an analytical model of the global carbon cycle in order to determine if structures are generated that concentrate gases in the atmosphere. To carry out this analysis, first the theory that supports Turing instability was studied. A simplified analytical model of the global carbon cycle was then examined. Then, the instability method developed to analyze gas concentration was refined and applied to the selected model. Finally, some interesting results found with this study in the context of climate change are presented. The main contribution of the findings is that no evidence has been found to prove the non-homogeneity of GHG in the atmosphere.