Title: Climate change and geographic distinctions

Biography:

Stjepko Golubic research concerns the relationship between microorganisms and mineral deposits. It is ecological and interdisciplinary, involving aspects of microbiology, paleontology, sedimentology, and geochemistry. My interests include the role of phototrophic microorganisms in carbonate deposition and dissolution, modern and ancient stromatolites, biokarst formation, and use of micro borings as pale environmental indicators. Special interest focuses on ecology and diversity of cyanobacteria, reconciling molecular and phenotypic characterizations. Research projects include Microbial ecology of carbonate deposition and bio erosion in Marine and Freshwater environments, Diversity and Phylogeny of Cyanobacteria., Ecology and diversity of coral reef cyanobacteria and Marine toxic cyanobacteria

Abstract

The climate has change is currently in progress and correlated consistently and convincingly with increase in greenhouse gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere.  The systematic measurements of the atmospheric CO₂ levels, carried out on the observatory on Mauna Loa, Hawaii since 1950s could recently report an average above 410 parts per million in April and May, 2018, the highest levels ever recorded. The exponential rise of this major greenhouse gas on earth has been illustrated by the Keeling Curve named in honor of Charles David Keeling, who started the research that clearly documented the breakup of the Earth’s Carbon cycle and the connection of the consequent climate changes with fossil fuel burning. Over the past years, my students of Marine Biology and Geology at Boston University found the Keeling curve most convincing, as one of the best educational tool for students as well as for public at large.  The Keeling Curve resolution power records seasonal changes so that its overall upward trend cannot be questioned. The Keeling Curve has been extrapolated back in time by numerous measurements of fossil CO₂ levels in air bubbles entrapped in ancient glaciers, as well as isotopic analysis of compounds related to the Carbon Cycle all independently point to climate relevance of the CO₂ levels in the Atmosphere. The curve has been generated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but we report the less known studied of regional affects and vertical distinctions.