1.4 - Carbon Cycle Flashcards
What is the carbon cycle?
Movement of molecules that contain carbon between sources and sinks.
What is a carbon sink?
A carbon reservoir; examples include the ocean, plants, and soil. Key sink is the atmosphere.
What is a carbon source?
Processes that add carbon to the atmosphere; examples include fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and animal respiration.
What is photosynthesis?
Removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; acts as a carbon sink.
What is cellular respiration?
Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; acts as a carbon source.
What is direct exchange in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide moves directly between the atmosphere and ocean by dissolving into and out.
What is sedimentation?
When marine organisms die, their bodies sink to the ocean floor where they’re broken down into sediments that contain carbon.
What is burial (in water)?
Pressure of water compresses carbon-containing sediments into sedimentary stone (like limestone, sandstone); acts as a long-term sink.
What is burial (on land)?
Stores carbon in underground sinks like rock or fossil fuels.
What are fossil fuels?
Coal, oil, and natural gas formed by fossilized remains of organisms.
What is extraction & combustion?
Digging up or mining fossil fuels and burning them for energy; a large source of carbon emissions.
