Carbon Tectonics: A new paradigm for Earth system science

This paper puts forward a new scientific concept: Carbon tectonics. The original meaning of “tectonics” is the geotectonic process of the Earth, which is restrcited in the lithosphere. However, the actual tectonic process of the Earth can reach the lower mantle, and can be related to the atmosphere, and even involve the operation of other celestial bodies. It can be seen that the processes of each sphere of the Earth are closely related to the large-scale to micro-scale tectonic processes, that is to say, the tectonic process is a multisphere, multi-scale and multi-phase process, and a dominant process of the Earth system. Similarly, carbon is an important element of the inorganic and organic worlds of the Earth (including organic biomass and abiotic oil and gas hydrates), and it is constantly circulating and changing between different spheres of the Earth. “Carbon” and “tectonics” are closely combined or related processes, such as volcanic eruption, mantle plume upwelling, oil and gas accumulation process, which are collectively referred to as carbon tectonics in this paper. Carbon tectonics basically covers all aspects of the Earth system. It is a new generalization and in-depth understanding of the overall Earth system following the idea of the co-evolution of the biosphere and the geosphere by Верна́дский. It is also the best entry point for the construction of the Earth System Theory. It is expected to form a new research paradigm, and to open up a new research field, and to promote a series of large-scale interdisciplinary intersections. The paradigm of carbon tectonics surpasses the plate tectonics paradigm in geoscience, faces the non-linear system characteristics and overall emergence of the Earth system, frames the cross field between Earth science and life science, and puts forward to a series of new ideas and terms: carbon sink tectonics and carbon sequestration tectonics, carbon transport tectonics and carbon storage tectonics, geological carbon pump (including slab pump and magma pump, extension carbon pump and subduction carbon pump, eruption pump and intrusion pump, weathering pump and sedimentation pump, etc.), carbon chain and carbon path, carbon conveyor belt and others.