6.1/6.2 geological and biological processes of the carbon cycle Flashcards
carbon cycle
The biogeochemical process which cycles/moves carbon from one sphere to another. It is a closed system involving inputs, outputs, throughputs (transfers) and stores (acting as a source and a sink of carbon).
carbon store
A stage of the carbon cycle which sees carbon being stored for a given period of time. They can act as sinks and sources of carbon.
mechanical weathering
The physical breakdown of rock material by environmental factors (such as changes in temperature).
chemical weathering
The change in chemical composition as a result of chemical reactions with elements in rock material (such as oxidation or hydrolysis).
biological weathering
The breakdown of rock by plants, animals or bacteria (e.g. tree roots, rabbits burrowing).
terrestrial carbon stores
Examples of these stores include sedimentary rocks and soil.
ocean carbon stores
Examples of these include CO2 dissolving in to oceans, biological processes (e.g. respiration) of organisms and deeper ocean dissolved inorganic carbon.
atmospheric carbon stores
Examples of these include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) (GHG).
transportation
Where rivers/oceans transport rock particles (ions) or sediment before they are deposited.
sedimentation
The process whereby sediment (dead organisms, river sediment) is buried by subsequent layers of sediment. The accumulation and compaction of these sediments create sedimentary rocks.
carbonate rocks
Sedimentary rocks composed primarily of carbonate minerals (CO3). The two major types are limestone, which is composed of calcite (CaCO3) and dolostone, which is composed of the mineral dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2).
metamorphosis
The layering/burial of sediments, and associated pressure, leads to sedimentary rocks being transformed in to metamorphic rocks (e.g. shale to slate, and chalk to marble).
coal
Formed from the remains of trees, ferns and other plants. Examples of types of coal include anthracite and bituminous coals (highest energy density), lignite and brown coal (lower in carbon, more polluting) and peat.
outgassing
Release of pockets of CO2 at active/passive volcanic zones (subduction at convergent margins and divergent margins/mid-ocean ridges, hot springs/geysers and from fractures in the Earth’s crust.
permafrost
Soil, rock or sediment that is frozen for more than two consecutive years. In areas not overlain by ice, it exists beneath a layer of soil, rock or sediment, which freezes and thaws annually and is called the “active layer”.
marine biota
Organisms, such as plankton, that live in marine ecosystems.
lithosphere
The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
phytoplankton
Autotrophic (self-feeding) marine algae (microscopic plants).
zooplankton
Heterotrophic microscopic animals.
sequestering
The natural storage of carbon by physical or biological processes (e.g. photosynthesis).
photosynthesis
Process used by plants and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy. This can later be released to fuel the organism.
thermohaline circulation
The global system of ocean currents driven by differences in temperature (thermo) and salinity (saline).
oceanic carbon pump
Processes to circulate and store carbon in oceans.
biological pump
Sequestration of CO2 to oceans by phytoplankton.
carbonate pump
Involves inorganic carbon sedimentation. Where shells/skeletons of dead marine organisms, such as lobsters, sink and dissolve and add to the ocean sediments.
physical pump
Concerning the (thermohaline) oceanic circulation, upwelling and downwelling of water. The colder the water, the more potential for CO2 to be absorbed. CO2 concentration is 10% higher in deep ocean areas compared to surface waters.
primary producers
Autotrophs that generate their own food using light energy from the sun or inorganic compounds. They are the first stage of any food chain/web.
respiration
The process whereby living organisms produce energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide.
consumer organisms
Organisms of an ecological food chain that receive energy by consuming other organisms. Primary consumers tend to be herbivores, secondary and tertiary consumers tend to be carnivores or omnivores.
dead organic matter
Anything that contains carbon compounds that were formed by living organisms. It covers a wide range of things like leaves, branches, moss, algae, any parts of animals, manure, droppings, sewage, insects and microbes.
decomposition
The breakdown of organic matter by bacteria and fungi.
system feedback
Occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop. Feedback can be positive (results in an increase of the process/event) or negative (results in a reduction of the process/event).
carbon balance
The balance of transferred and stored carbon in the atmosphere, ecosystems and soils/rocks.
anthropogenic influences
The impacts of human activity on the carbon cycle.
fluxes
The flow, or movement of organic compounds (i.e. carbon) through an ecosystem.
