1.3 - Pumping Carbon

Question 1

Physical Ocean Cycle

Answer 1

It moves dissolved CO2 through diffusion and the downwelling currents moving water from surface to deep ocean.

Question 2

Solubility Cycle

Answer 2

Where the ocean absorbs CO2. Hydrogen ions ‘break carbonic acid apart’ forming bicarbonates. Organisms then use these to make shells/skeletons carbonates.

Question 3

Biological Cycle

Answer 3

Where phytoplankton sequester the CO2 through photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide becomes organic matter.

Question 4

What Do The Cycles Achieve

Answer 4

An increased amount of CO2 entering the oceans from the atmosphere which helps regulate the carbon cycle

Question 5

Physical Pump

Answer 5

Polar water absorbs even more CO2, increasing salinity so it sinks through downwelling currents. Surface winds allow warm tropics water to take the sunken cold water’s place, allowing for more diffusion of CO2.

Question 6

Biological Pump

Answer 6

As organisms die, shells sink and carbon is transported in the deep oceans. Decay releases the CO2 into the deep waters instead of being on the surface where It could vent.

Question 7

Thermohaline Circulation

Answer 7

4 principle

Question 8

Principle 1

Answer 8

There are two types of water, cold polar and warm tropics. These two can’t mix.

Question 9

Principle 2

Answer 9

Cold water holds more gas than warm water as colder, gas molecules move slower meaning they diffuse out slower and more remain, whereas warm water moves quicker meaning they diffuse out quicker.

Question 10

Principle 3

Answer 10

Warm tropical water moves to the poles and evaporates, leaving saltier/cold water, which is able to hold more CO2.

Question 11

Principle 4

Answer 11

Pumping water with CO2 forces water in that place to find somewhere else to go but it’s movement is governed by land masses. Cold water flows near to Antarctica, gets recharged by extra-cold water, making the Southern Ocean the biggest sink.