4.3 Carbon Cycling Flashcards
Respiration - Carbon Cycle
CO2 is produced by respiration and diffuses out of organisms into water or the atmosphere. Decomposers also respire releasing nutrients along with CO2.
Methane - Carbon Cycle
is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground. Methane is oxidised to CO2 and water in the atmosphere.
Combustion - Carbon Cycle
CO2 is produced by the combustion of biomass and fossilised organic matter.
Carbon Cycle - Diffusion
CO2 diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.
Autotrophs Role in Carbon Cycle
autotrophs convert CO2 into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.
Fossil Fuels - Carbon Cycle
partially decomposed organic matter from past geological eras was converted either into coal or into oil and gas that accumulate in porous rock.
Biomass - Carbon Cycling
animals such as reef-building corals and mollusca have hard parts (chitin) that are composed of calcium carbonate and can become fossilised in limestone.
C Aquatic Ecosystems
carbon is present as dissolved CO2 and hydrogen carbonate ions.
Peat
forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed by saprotrophs because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.
Carbon Pool
the places in which carbon is stored. e.g. earth crust, oceans
Carbon Fluxes
transfer of carbon from one pool to another.
Annual CO2 levels
generally, in winter, around the hemispheres, the CO2 levels rise as plants can’t photosynthesis as effectively due to less sunlight and colder temperatures. This means that less CO2 is being removed from atm. Also fossil fuels such as coal are also being burnt more during winter for warmth. In summer CO2 levels are lower as plants are more able to do photosynthesis.
