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For an integral curve $C$ on a smooth projective surface, $2p_a(C)-2=C\cdot (C+K_X)$. Apply Riemann–Roch theorem for algebraic surfaces to the divisor restriction exact sequence $0\to {\mathcal{O}}_X(-C)\to {\mathcal{O}}_X\to {\mathcal{O}}_C\to 0$ to derive it. This arithmetic version applies also to singular curves and in arbitrary characteristic.

For an integral projective curve on a smooth projective surface, blowing up a point of multiplicity $m$ gives $C^{\prime }={\pi }^{\ast }C-mE$. The intersection formula for blowing up a surface and canonical divisor formula for a surface blowup yield $C^{\prime 2}=C^2-m^2$ and $K_{X^{\prime }}\cdot C^{\prime }=K_X\cdot C+m$. Substitute both in the arithmetic adjunction formula on a smooth surface. This does not require the transformed curve to be smooth.

For a point blowup of a smooth algebraic surface $\psi :\tilde{X}\to X$, where $X$ is a smooth projective surface over an algebraically closed field, multiplication by the exceptional section to power $m$ identifies $H^0(\tilde{X},m{\psi }^{\ast }{K}_X)$ with $H^0(\tilde{X},m{K}_{\tilde{X}})$. Every effective pluricanonical representative must contain $mE$, since after subtracting $j<m$ copies its intersection with $E$ is $-m+j<0$. The projection formula for sheaves and ${\psi }_{\ast }\mathcal{O}=\mathcal{O}$ identify the remaining sections with those on $X$. No effectivity of $K_X$ itself is assumed.

A smooth rational curve with self-intersection $-1$ on a smooth projective surface over an algebraically closed field contracts to a smooth point of another smooth projective surface. The contraction is a birational morphism and an isomorphism off the curve, with inverse a blowup of a smooth algebraic surface. This algebraic criterion is valid in arbitrary characteristic and should not be confused with Castelnuovo's rationality criterion.

On a smooth projective surface, fix an ample divisor $H$. For sufficiently large $m$, a general pencil in $|mH|$ is a Lefschetz pencil. The adjunction formula gives the displayed genus. If $m$ is divisible by four, both terms added to $1$ are even integers, so the genus is odd.

Use countability of negative curves. A smooth projective surface over $\mathbb{C}$ is a compact smooth manifold homotopy equivalent to a finite CW complex, so its integral cohomology group $H^2(X,\mathbb{Z})$ is finitely generated and therefore countable. Distinct irreducible curves $C,D$ with $C^2<0$ cannot have the same cohomology class: that would give $C\cdot D=C^2<0$, while distinct effective curves have nonnegative intersection multiplicities. Assigning a negative curve its cohomology class is thus injective, proving there are at most countably many negative curves.

For zero self-intersection, uncountable families do occur. On the product of two projective lines ${\mathbb{P}}^1\times {\mathbb{P}}^1$, every fiber ${\mathbb{P}}^1\times \{p\}$ has self-intersection zero, since a different fiber is disjoint and has the same numerical equivalence of divisors class. The parameter $p\in {\mathbb{P}}^1(\mathbb{C})$ varies over an uncountable set. Thus yes, there can be uncountably many such curves.

The Castelnuovo contraction criterion says that a smooth rational curve $C$ on a smooth projective surface with $C^2=-1$ can be contracted by a birational morphism to a smooth point of a smooth projective surface. The contraction is an isomorphism away from $C$, and its inverse is the blowup of a smooth algebraic surface at that point. This is the algebraic contraction criterion, valid over the algebraically closed field here; it is not the rationality criterion bearing Castelnuovo's name.

By (b), every $C\in \mathrm{Neg}(K_X)$ satisfies the hypothesis. Therefore the required morphism exists:The PDF calls $f_1$ a birational map; the conclusion is stronger, since this map is everywhere defined and is a birational morphism.

A smooth rational curve $C$ with $C^2=0$ on a smooth projective surface is semiample and has Iitaka dimension one. Its normal bundle is trivial, so the restriction sequences for $mC$ have quotient ${\mathcal{O}}_C$ and zero quotient $H^1$. The finite dimensions of $H^1(X,mC)$ decrease and stabilize. Restriction of sections to $C$ is then surjective; a lift of $1$ and the canonical section generate globally. Exactness also gives $h^0(X,mC)-h^0(X,(m-1)C)=1$ eventually.

A smooth projective surface is a two-dimensional smooth variety admitting a closed embedding in projective space. Its integral curves are Cartier divisors, and their intersections, arithmetic adjunction and point blowups control its birational geometry.