Erratum to: Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and maximum entropy production in the earth system: Applications and implications

Erratum to: Naturwissenschaften

DOI 10.1007/s00114-009-0509-x

Figure 2 contains two aspects that are incorrect: First, the figure does not show the entropy production by mixing σ_a, but rather the increase of entropy production by mixing due to the presence of heat transport, that is, Δσ_a = σ_a (F_ab) - σ_a (F_ab = 0) where F_ab is the heat transport from box A to B. Second, the entropy of the whole system was computed in an incorrect way. The corrected plot is shown below.

Figure 2

Sensitivity of the model to the flux F_ab by varying its conductivity k in terms of entropy S (expressed in relation to a state of thermodynamic equilibrium), net entropy exchange NEE, and the increase in entropy production by mixing Δσ_a within box A and by heat transport Δσ_ab

The errors do not affect the main messages and conclusions of the paper. It does, however, affect the interpretation of the relationship of a state of Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) and a state of low entropy or the extent of disequilibrium. A corrected explanation of this relationship is given by Kleidon (“Life, hierarchy, and the thermodynamic machinery of planet Earth”, published online in Physics of Life Reviews, doi: 10.1016/j.plrev.2010.10.002.)