Global transport and inter-reservoir exchange of carbon dioxide with particular reference to stable isotopic distributions

A two-dimensional model of global atmospheric transport is used to relate estimated air-to-surface exchanges of carbon dioxide (CO sub(2)) to spatial and temporal variations of atmospheric CO sub(2) concentrations and isotopic composition. The atmospheric model coupled with models of the biosphere and mixed layer of the ocean describes the gross features of the global carbon cycle. In particular this paper considers the change in isotopic composition due to interreservoir exchanges and thus the potential application and measurement requirements of new isotopic observational programs. A comparison is made between the model-generated CO sub(2) concentration variation and those observed on secular, interannual and seasonal time scales and spatially through the depth of the troposphere and meridionally from pole-to-pole.