Carbon Flashcards
key processes in the fast cycle
photosynthesis
respiration
digestion
name the key 5 stages of the slow carbon cycle
- transfer of carbon into the oceans
- the decomposition of carbon compounds on the ocean floor
- the conversion of sediments into carbon-rich rock
- the transfer of carbon rocks to tectonic margins
- the return of carbon compounds to the atmosphere in volcanic eruptions
largest store of carbon
earths crust
processes in the fast cycle
photosynthesis, decomposition, respiration
processes in the slow/geological cycle and how do they work
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
how does coal form
formed from the compaction of partially decomposed matter
how does oil form
formed from bodies of plankton
how does natural gas form
produced from the formation of oil
what are the 3 ocean pumps
biological
carbonate
physical
explain the biological pump
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
explain the carbonate pump
co2 dissolves into the ocean, creating carbonic acid, so becomes a bicarbonate ion which becomes carbon
explain the physical pump
co2 dissolve into water then exsolves back into the atmosphere caused by deep ocean currents
what is the importance of soils as a carbon stores
soil organic carbon- contains lots of carbon, more then what is in the atmosphere
role of terrestrial primary producers
sequester carbon during photosynthesis, some of this carbon is returned into the atmosphere during respiration
define anthropogenic
anything influenced by humans
why is permafrost important
stores carbon in water frozen in the frozen form, stopping oxygen from reaching the carbon
what is the enhanced greenhouse effect
increasing levels of co2 means increasing the amount of heat retained causing the earth to heat up
why does co2 rise after the 1850s
the exponential increase is due to humans beginning to burn fossil fuels, soil degradation, deforestation and agriculture
what is arctic amplification
ice usually reflects sunlight, however as ice melts the dark blue ocean is revealed and absorbs lots of sunlight leading to further warming
what does a balanced ecosystem mean
there will be regular seasons
what is the IPCC
provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change
what is the anthropocene
climate change pushing the world deeper into a new age
how will south africa be affected by the 1.5 increase
temps will rise significantly faster than elsewhere, dryer conditions will impact on livestock and yeilds
list some avoided impacts if we keep temps to 1.5
70% more sea ice lost from 10% to 80% of current total
what is energy security
having reliable, affordable and easy access to a natural resource for the purpose of energy consumption
is the UK energy secure
demands are met, but it is not sustainable
reliant on imports and fossil fuels
susceptible to global prices
what is the focus of the UK’s new energy strategy
give out new licenses in the north sea
invest more in nuclear power
off shore wind power
what are the trends in the global energy demand
global energy demand and consumption are increasing
fossil fuels are very much the norm
what are the trends in carbon dioxide emissions
some countries have had a more significant increase than other with overall emissions increasing
how can energy consumption be measured
per capita
gross
energy intensity
tonnes of oils equivalent
what factors influence the amount of energy consumed in a place
technology
development
public perception
accessibility of energy
factors affecting the energy mix of a country
cost
technology
physical availability
political considerations
example of how physical availability influences a country’s energy mix
discovery of oil in the North sea in the 1970s meant a huge increase in use by the UK
example of how cost influences a country’s energy mix
the north sea became a secure alternative to dependency on the middle eastern oil after prices rose in the 1970s
example of how technology influences a country’s energy mix
Deepwater drilling technology enabled both Norway and the UK to develop north sea extraction
example of how political considerations influences a country’s energy mix
the Norwegian government prevents foreign companies from owning any primary energy source sites
who are the key players in energy
TNCs
national governments
environmental groups
scientists
how can pathways be disrupted
political conflicts
choke points
natural disasters
changes to supply
what are the unconventional oils
fracking
deep sea oil extraction
tar sands
pros and cons of fracking
pros- can increase a countrys energy security
cons- can lead to the contamination of ground water
pros and cons of deep sea oil extraction
pros- increase oil security
cons- coastline can be disfigured as well as pollution concerns
pros and cons of tar sand
pros- can increase a countrys oil output
cons- affected by the global price of oil
examples of renewable and recyclable energy
nuclear power
wind power
solar power
hydro power
strengths and weaknesses of bio-fuels
strengths- easy and relatively cheap to produce
weaknesses- farming is displaced so they then cut down trees to make room = increased deforestation
opportunities and threats of bio-fuels
opp- new technology and efficiency, improved rural infrastructure
thr- takes investment away from food production
example of geopolitical conflicts over energy pathways
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
impacts of land-use changing due to growing population
greater demand for meat, deforestation for more farmland, releases CO2, reduced evapotranspiration and increased soil erosion
impacts of the ocean absorbing more carbon
water and carbon create carbonic acid, which has the ability to dissolve coral reefs. ocean acidity increased by 26% since 19th century
what changes are affecting coral reefs
rising sea levels
warmer water
what does higher acidity mean for oceans
affect the ability of marine organisms to build shells
impacts of climate change
changes to photosynthesis and carbon storage as forests turn to savannahs
some regions will become perminately drier
implications of forest loss for people
displacement
loss of biodiversity
pollution of water
loss of raw materials
affects of higher temperatures
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
trend of global forest cover
in some developed countries cover is increasing, which goes against the global picture. (kuznets curve)
how do humans interact with healthy oceans
carbon sink
jobs with the ocean are estimated worth £2.5 tril
over 80% oceans are unexplored
how do human factors make climate warming uncertain
Government decisions
Conflict
Population growth
Technology
how do physical factors make climate warming uncertain
Residency times
Feedback mechanisms
Tipping points- permafrost, peatland, albedo
Other systems- thermohaline circulation
adaptation techniques for a changed climate
water management
resilient agriculture
land-use planning
flood-risk management
mitigation techniques for a changed climate
carbon tax
renewable energy
efficiency
afforestation
carbon capture and storage
pros of adaptation techniques for a changed climate
may help CO2 sequestration
help local communities
cons of adaptation techniques for a changed climate
needs enforcement by governments
land owners may demand compensation
pros of mitigation techniques for a changed climate
environmental benefits
reduce emissions
economic in long-term
cons of mitigation techniques for a changed climate
provide intermittent supply
needs upfront investment
long-term is uncertain
example of chokepoints
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
effect of clearing grassland is the US
initial removal releases CO2
natural habitats are reduced
soils are liable to erosion
how have tar sands impact Canada
produces 40% of Canada’s oil output, however they are vulnerable to the global price of oil and enviro costs
how many countries are emitting 59% of all emissions
5
how much could the global cost be to cities due to rising sea levels and inward flooding
1 trillion by mid-century
how many tourists visit the great barrier reef anually
1.9 million
