Carbon Flashcards
Define the carbon cycle.
Cycle by which carbon moves from one sphere to another. Closed system made up of inter-linked sub-systems that are open (inputs + outputs).
What are the 4 spheres of carbon?
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Biosphere
Define carbon sequestration.
Process by which CO2 is removed from atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form.
Define outgassing.
Release of gas previously dissolved, trapped, frozen or absorbed in some material e.g. rock.
Define chemical weathering.
The decomposition of rock minerals in their original structure by agents such as water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and organic acids.
Describe how sedimentary carbonate rocks are formed.
Biomass (shells, skeletons etc.) collect at bottom of ocean. Calcium carbonate compacted weight of new layers above biomass. Over time - organic limestone rock formed.
Name an example of a significant outgassing event.
Mount E-15 eruption (2010). Around 300,000 tonnes CO2 released per day (similar to Portugal). But - <0.3% global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.
Explain the process of chemical weathering of limestone rocks.
Weak carbonic acid forms in rain as it falls (absorbs CO2 in atmosphere). Dissolves calcium carbonate in rocks (especially limestone rocks).
What are carbon pumps?
Processes operating in the oceans that circulate and store carbon.
What are the 3 carbon pumps in the oceans?
Biological
Physical
Carbonate
Describe the biological carbon pump.
Zooplankton - e.g. phytoplankton - at oceans’ surface photosynthesise (sequester dissolved CO2). Create calcium carbonate for their shells. When they die, carbon-rich micro-organisms sink to ocean floor to form sediment.
Describe the physical carbon pump.
Thermohaline circulation describes large-scale movement of seawater due to temperature and salinity differences (e.g warm water to poles). Transfers dissolved CO2 from equatorial sources to polar sinks. Up-welling and down-welling (dense, cold water sinks) brings CO2 to deep ocean.
Describe the carbonate carbon pump.
Oceanic organisms sequester CO2 from ocean, allowing it to absorb more from atmosphere. Carbon -> ocean -> organism -> seabed -> sedimentary rocks.
Briefly describe an example of an influential thermohaline circulation.
Warm area of Atlantic between Brazil and West Africa transfers to Nordic Sea between Iceland and Norway (provides heat to Europe).
Explain the patterns of CO2 concentration in the northern hemisphere’s atmosphere due to terrestrial primary producer (land-based plants) activity.
Spring and Summer - growing season: lower atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Winter - concentrations increase because plants are dormant. Plants sequester CO2 when growing through photosynthesis.
Which biome has one third of all global primary production (plant photosynthesis)?
Tropical rainforests
What is the word equation for respiration?
Glucose + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water (+energy)
Why are herbivores still considered primary consumers?
Consume plants and release methane gas as a by-product.
What is humus and explain its role in the carbon cycle.
Type of dark soil that contains decayed plant and animal material. Rich in nutrients and contains moisture. Essential part of carbon cycle - large carbon sink (stable carbon storage) and contributes to soil fertility (increases plant growth and productivity).
Explain carbon transfers when plant litter decomposes.
Some CO2 emitted to atmosphere. When decomposition is anaerobic - some methane emitted to atmosphere. Some carbon transferred to humus.
Which biome stores the most carbon in vegetation? How much in gigatonnes (Pg)?
Tropical forests - 212 Pg
Which biome stores the most carbon in soil? How much in gigatonnes (Pg)?
Boreal forests - >500 Pg
What are boreal forests?
Dominated by needle-leaved, evergreen, deciduous hardwood trees. Extended, cold winters and short mild summers.
What are the three major biochemical greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide.
Define the greenhouse effect.
The warming of the atmosphere as gasses such as CO2, CH4 and water vapour trap heat energy radiated from the Earth.
Explain the natural greenhouse gas effect.
Short wavelength solar radiation from sun enters Earth’s atmosphere. Some heat absorbed, some reflected back towards space as longer-wavelength energy. Some energy cannot pass through relatively dense greenhouse gases - heat is trapped. Some escapes back into space.
How much cooler would the average temperature of the Earth be without the greenhouse effect?
21°C
Explain the enhanced greenhouse gas effect.
Same process but less energy escapes into space. More energy is trapped/absorbed by higher concentrations of dense greenhouse gasses. Earth gets warmer.
Explain role of CO2 in the greenhouse effect (% of greenhouse gases produced, sources and warming power).
89%. Fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Relatively low warming power.
Explain role of CH4 in the greenhouse effect (% of greenhouse gases produced, sources and warming power).
7%. Gas pipeline leaks, cattle farming. 21x more powerful than CO2.
Explain role of N2O in the greenhouse effect (% of greenhouse gases produced, sources and warming power).
3%. Jet engines, fertilisers, 250x powerful than CO2.
Explain role of halocarbons in the greenhouse effect (% of greenhouse gases produced, sources and warming power).
1%. Industry, cooling equipment, 3000x more powerful.
Name three global controls of climate.
Latitude, global atmospheric circulation, ocean currents.
How does latitude impact climate? Don’t mention atmospheric ciculation.
Larger distribution of solar energy at poles + greater distance from sun = cooler.
Name the circulation cells from the equator to the poles, include degrees of latitude.
Equator to 30° - Hadley
30° to 60° - Ferrel
60° to poles - Polar
Which cells are the most well-defined / regular patterns of air movement?
Hadley cells (Polar are least regular).
What is another name for a low-pressure system and what conditions are found here?
A depression.
Air is rising.
Causes condensation and frontal rainfall.
What is another name for a high-pressure system and what conditions are found here?
Anti-cyclone.
Air is sinking.
Dry, settled conditions with light winds.
Describe the movement of water and temperature in the North Atlantic Ocean in normal conditions.
North Equatorial Current - warm water from Northeast Africa to Mexico.
Gulf Stream - warm water Mexico/Florida to East Canada
North Atlantic Drift - warm water from East Canada/US across Atlantic to UK.
Canary Current - cold water from UK South to Northeast Africa.
What are two factors locally effecting climate?
Albedo
Altitude
Explain the albedo’s effect on climate.
High albedo - light colours. High % of heat energy reflected. Less ground heat - cooler climate.
Low albedo - dark colours. Low % of heat energy reflected. More ground heat - hotter climate.
Explain, using data, altitude’s effect on climate.
Temperature drops by 0.01°C every 1m above sea level.
Define fossil fuels.
Material fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past formed from the remains of living organisms.
How are fossil fuels consumed?
Extracted from lithosphere (70-100 million year old rocks) for oil and gas. Burned to release energy (and CO2).
Explain the predicted impact of a 2°C temperature increase on the climate.
Precipitation increases at higher latitudes, decreases at lower latitudes (Europe, America & Asia wetter).
More tropical storms in temperate and tropical areas.
Explain the predicted impact of a 2°C temperature increase on ecosystems.
Habitat changes - extinction rates could rise to 40% of all species.
Rising temp + ocean acidification = 80% coral reef bleaching.