14 PT 2 - Slow Carbon Cycle Flashcards
What is the slow carbon cycle? (flows)
The slow carbon cycle refers to the movement of carbon between the land, ocean, and atmosphere that takes millions of years.
Where does the slow carbon cycle begin? (flows)
The slow carbon cycle begins with the diffusion of carbon between the atmosphere and the surface ocean through the process of gas exchange.
What happens to the carbon that diffuses into the ocean? (stores)
The carbon that diffuses into the ocean dissolves and is used by marine organisms to create calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
What happens to the remains of marine organisms after they die? (stores)
The remains of marine organisms, including their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons, sink to the bottom of the ocean and accumulate over thousands and millions of years, eventually forming sedimentary rocks.
How does carbon stored in sedimentary rocks get released back into the atmosphere? (flows)
Carbon stored in sedimentary rocks can be released back into the atmosphere through plate movements, subduction, volcanic eruptions, and chemical weathering.
Why is the slow carbon cycle important to understand? (stores)
The slow carbon cycle is important to understand because it plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and can have significant impacts on the Earth’s climate over millions of years.
How much carbon is cycled in the slow carbon cycle, and how does this compare to human emissions of carbon? (stores)
The amount of carbon cycled in the slow carbon cycle is 10 to 100 million tons, which is significantly less than the billions of tons of carbon emitted by humans through the burning of fossil fuels.
