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Geography > Carbon > Flashcards

Carbon Flashcards

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1
Q

key processes in the fast cycle

A

photosynthesis
respiration
digestion

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2
Q

name the key 5 stages of the slow carbon cycle

A
  1. transfer of carbon into the oceans
  2. the decomposition of carbon compounds on the ocean floor
  3. the conversion of sediments into carbon-rich rock
  4. the transfer of carbon rocks to tectonic margins
  5. the return of carbon compounds to the atmosphere in volcanic eruptions
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3
Q

largest store of carbon

A

earths crust

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4
Q

processes in the fast cycle

A

photosynthesis, decomposition, respiration

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5
Q

processes in the slow/geological cycle and how do they work

A

chemical weathering= weak carbonic acid falls as rain, easily breaking down limestone
volcanic outgassing= limestone rocks melt in the lithosphere, which would then be released during an eruption
lithification= shells and sediment containing carbon collect at the bottom of the ocean, then compacted to form organic limestone rock

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6
Q

how does coal form

A

formed from the compaction of partially decomposed matter

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7
Q

how does oil form

A

formed from bodies of plankton

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8
Q

how does natural gas form

A

produced from the formation of oil

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9
Q

what are the 3 ocean pumps

A

biological
carbonate
physical

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10
Q

explain the biological pump

A

The ocean’s surface layer contains tiny phytoplankton, sequester carbon dioxide through photosynthesis – creating calcium carbonate
When they die, these organisms sink to the ocean floor and accumulate as sediment

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11
Q

explain the carbonate pump

A

co2 dissolves into the ocean, creating carbonic acid, so becomes a bicarbonate ion which becomes carbon

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12
Q

explain the physical pump

A

co2 dissolve into water then exsolves back into the atmosphere caused by deep ocean currents

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13
Q

what is the importance of soils as a carbon stores

A

soil organic carbon- contains lots of carbon, more then what is in the atmosphere

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14
Q

role of terrestrial primary producers

A

sequester carbon during photosynthesis, some of this carbon is returned into the atmosphere during respiration

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15
Q

define anthropogenic

A

anything influenced by humans

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16
Q

why is permafrost important

A

stores carbon in water frozen in the frozen form, stopping oxygen from reaching the carbon

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17
Q

what is the enhanced greenhouse effect

A

increasing levels of co2 means increasing the amount of heat retained causing the earth to heat up

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18
Q

why does co2 rise after the 1850s

A

the exponential increase is due to humans beginning to burn fossil fuels, soil degradation, deforestation and agriculture

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19
Q

what is arctic amplification

A

ice usually reflects sunlight, however as ice melts the dark blue ocean is revealed and absorbs lots of sunlight leading to further warming

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20
Q

what does a balanced ecosystem mean

A

there will be regular seasons

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21
Q

what is the IPCC

A

provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change

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22
Q

what is the anthropocene

A

climate change pushing the world deeper into a new age

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23
Q

how will south africa be affected by the 1.5 increase

A

temps will rise significantly faster than elsewhere, dryer conditions will impact on livestock and yeilds

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24
Q

list some avoided impacts if we keep temps to 1.5

A

70% more sea ice lost from 10% to 80% of current total

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25
Q

what is energy security

A

having reliable, affordable and easy access to a natural resource for the purpose of energy consumption

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26
Q

is the UK energy secure

A

demands are met, but it is not sustainable
reliant on imports and fossil fuels
susceptible to global prices

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27
Q

what is the focus of the UK’s new energy strategy

A

give out new licenses in the north sea
invest more in nuclear power
off shore wind power

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28
Q

what are the trends in the global energy demand

A

global energy demand and consumption are increasing
fossil fuels are very much the norm

29
Q

what are the trends in carbon dioxide emissions

A

some countries have had a more significant increase than other with overall emissions increasing

30
Q

how can energy consumption be measured

A

per capita
gross
energy intensity
tonnes of oils equivalent

31
Q

what factors influence the amount of energy consumed in a place

A

technology
development
public perception
accessibility of energy

32
Q

factors affecting the energy mix of a country

A

cost
technology
physical availability
political considerations

33
Q

example of how physical availability influences a country’s energy mix

A

discovery of oil in the North sea in the 1970s meant a huge increase in use by the UK

34
Q

example of how cost influences a country’s energy mix

A

the north sea became a secure alternative to dependency on the middle eastern oil after prices rose in the 1970s

35
Q

example of how technology influences a country’s energy mix

A

Deepwater drilling technology enabled both Norway and the UK to develop north sea extraction

36
Q

example of how political considerations influences a country’s energy mix

A

the Norwegian government prevents foreign companies from owning any primary energy source sites

37
Q

who are the key players in energy

A

TNCs
national governments
environmental groups
scientists

38
Q

how can pathways be disrupted

A

political conflicts
choke points
natural disasters
changes to supply

39
Q

what are the unconventional oils

A

fracking
deep sea oil extraction
tar sands

40
Q

pros and cons of fracking

A

pros- can increase a countrys energy security
cons- can lead to the contamination of ground water

41
Q

pros and cons of deep sea oil extraction

A

pros- increase oil security
cons- coastline can be disfigured as well as pollution concerns

42
Q

pros and cons of tar sand

A

pros- can increase a countrys oil output
cons- affected by the global price of oil

43
Q

examples of renewable and recyclable energy

A

nuclear power
wind power
solar power
hydro power

44
Q

strengths and weaknesses of bio-fuels

A

strengths- easy and relatively cheap to produce
weaknesses- farming is displaced so they then cut down trees to make room = increased deforestation

45
Q

opportunities and threats of bio-fuels

A

opp- new technology and efficiency, improved rural infrastructure
thr- takes investment away from food production

46
Q

example of geopolitical conflicts over energy pathways

A

2 proposed pipelines
Qatar: can’t capitalize on natural gas their natural gas, backed by Saudi, USA and turkey
Iran: via 2 countries, backed by Syrian gov and Russia

47
Q

impacts of land-use changing due to growing population

A

greater demand for meat, deforestation for more farmland, releases CO2, reduced evapotranspiration and increased soil erosion

48
Q

impacts of the ocean absorbing more carbon

A

water and carbon create carbonic acid, which has the ability to dissolve coral reefs. ocean acidity increased by 26% since 19th century

49
Q

what changes are affecting coral reefs

A

rising sea levels
warmer water

50
Q

what does higher acidity mean for oceans

A

affect the ability of marine organisms to build shells

51
Q

impacts of climate change

A

changes to photosynthesis and carbon storage as forests turn to savannahs
some regions will become perminately drier

52
Q

implications of forest loss for people

A

displacement
loss of biodiversity
pollution of water
loss of raw materials

53
Q

affects of higher temperatures

A

increased water vapor has implications for everywhere, heavy rainfall
snowmelt is only important in some places, same with river flow and communities
thawing of permafrost can affect global levels of CO2

54
Q

trend of global forest cover

A

in some developed countries cover is increasing, which goes against the global picture. (kuznets curve)

55
Q

how do humans interact with healthy oceans

A

carbon sink
jobs with the ocean are estimated worth £2.5 tril
over 80% oceans are unexplored

56
Q

how do human factors make climate warming uncertain

A

Government decisions
Conflict
Population growth
Technology

57
Q

how do physical factors make climate warming uncertain

A

Residency times
Feedback mechanisms
Tipping points- permafrost, peatland, albedo
Other systems- thermohaline circulation

58
Q

adaptation techniques for a changed climate

A

water management
resilient agriculture
land-use planning
flood-risk management

59
Q

mitigation techniques for a changed climate

A

carbon tax
renewable energy
efficiency
afforestation
carbon capture and storage

60
Q

pros of adaptation techniques for a changed climate

A

may help CO2 sequestration
help local communities

61
Q

cons of adaptation techniques for a changed climate

A

needs enforcement by governments
land owners may demand compensation

62
Q

pros of mitigation techniques for a changed climate

A

environmental benefits
reduce emissions
economic in long-term

63
Q

cons of mitigation techniques for a changed climate

A

provide intermittent supply
needs upfront investment
long-term is uncertain

64
Q

example of chokepoints

A

Ukraine is considered a chokepoint in the EU’s supply of oil. there is increasing uncertainty in relations with Russia, so could become increasingly insecure

65
Q

effect of clearing grassland is the US

A

initial removal releases CO2
natural habitats are reduced
soils are liable to erosion

66
Q

how have tar sands impact Canada

A

produces 40% of Canada’s oil output, however they are vulnerable to the global price of oil and enviro costs

67
Q

how many countries are emitting 59% of all emissions

A

5

68
Q

how much could the global cost be to cities due to rising sea levels and inward flooding

A

1 trillion by mid-century

69
Q

how many tourists visit the great barrier reef anually

A

1.9 million

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