Carbon Isotope Composition of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide in Southern Poland: Imprint of Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions in Regional Biosphere

Abstract

Southern Poland is home to numerous large mining and energy industry facilities, which consume relatively great amounts of fossil fuels. Temporal and spatial distribution of CO 2 emissions to the atmosphere were estimated on the basis of 13 C and 14 C isotope measurements in atmospheric CO 2 and in α-cellulose from pine tree rings. The Suess effect was evaluated in the atmospheric CO 2 from the High Tatra Mountains (Kasprowy Wierch) and the urban area (Kraków), as well as in tree rings from Niepołomice Forest near Kraków. Two different models were used to estimate the emission component recorded in tree ring δ 13 C on the background of climatic changes.