On the Picard group: Torsion and the kernel induced by a faithfully flat map (Q1921919)

Let \(k\) be a field, \(p=\text{char} k\) and \(X\) a \(k\)-scheme of finite type. This paper tries to describe \(\text{Pic} (X)\). If \(K/k\) is a separable algebraic field extension then the kernel of the map \(\text{Pic} (X)\to \text{Pic} (X_K)\) is a finite group. If \(n\in\mathbb{N}\) is prime to \(p\) then \(\text{Pic} (X)\) has only finitely many elements of order \(n\). Let \(f:Y\to X\) be a faithfully flat morphism of \(k\)-schemes of finite type. If \(X,Y\) are geometrically integer, \(k\) is perfect and there exist resolutions of singularities for varieties over the algebraic closure \(k^a\) of \(k\), then \(\text{Ker(Pic} (f))\) is finitely generated. If \(X,Y\) are geometrically irreducible and \(p>0\) then \(\text{Ker(Pic} (f))\) is the direct sum of a finitely generated group and a \(p\)-group which is not necessarily finite as examples show. Now assume that \(k\) is finitely generated over its prime field. If \(p=0\), \(X\) is reduced, seminormal and \(S_2\) then \(\text{Pic} (X)\) is isomorphic to the direct sum of a free abelian group and a finite abelian group. If \(p>0\) then \(\text{Pic} (X)\) is the direct sum of a countably generated free abelian group with a bounded \(p\)-group and with a finite group.