4.3 Carbon Cycling Flashcards
what are the roles of autotrophs?
to convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.
how is carbon present in aquatic environments?
as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions
How are hard parts in coral reefs and mollusca in aquatic environment formed?
from the combination of carbonate ions with calcium (= calcium carbonate)
why can the decrease of CO2 concentrations in seas be a threat to shell making animals?
Increasing CO2 –> increasing H+ (proton: acidic)
If proton (H+) is present, carbonate ion (CO32-) will bind with proton (H+) instead of calcium ion (Ca2+), which is essential for making calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is required for the formation of shells.
less carbonate ion (CO32-) –> harder for organisms to make shells.
why can the decrease of CO2 concentrations in seas be a threat to shell making animals?
Increasing CO2 –> increasing H+ (proton: acidic)
If proton (H+) is present, carbonate ion (CO32-) will bind with proton (H+) instead of calcium ion (Ca2+), which is essential for making calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is required for the formation of shells.
less carbonate ion (CO32-) –> harder for organisms to make shells.
Ruminants definition
Mammals that have a unique digestive system. Ruminants first chew, regurgitate (게워내다), then chew again.
Methanogic archeans definition
bacteria that livest in the intestines of ruminants
how do ruminants produce methane?
as a metabolic by-product in anaerobic conditions (intestines)
Some methane produced diffuse into the atmosphere, while some accumulate in the ground.
How might methane level increase?
when numbers of domesticated cattles increase
why aren’t there much methane in real life?
methane is naturally oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.
what are the three conditions for peat formaiton?
- Absence of oxygen (ie. anaerobic)
- Acidic condition
- Presence of organic matter (ie. dead plants)
peat defintion
accumulation of organic matter, especially in waterlogged areas, which are partially decomposed under anaerobic and acidic conditions
explain the formation of peat in waterlogged conditions
Saprotrophic bacteria acquire oxygen from air spaces in soil in order to effectively perform cellular respiration.
waterlogged conditions –> lack air spaces in the soil –> organic matter only partially decomposed –> formation of peat
what is the relationship of decomposition and anaerobic conditions?
anaerobic respiration of certain organisms waterlogged areas –> acidic conditions
acidic conditions –> further prevent saprotrophic bacteria from decomposing the organic matter.
how is coal formed?
- peat is compressed under sediments (high pressure & high temperature conditions)
- moisture is removed from the peat
- formation of coal
