carbon

Question 1

carbon cycle

Answer 1

The cycle by which carbon moves from one earth sphere (atmosphere , hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere) to another. The carbon cycle is a closed system byt made up of interlinked subsystems which are open and have inputs, outputs,stores and fluxes.

Question 2

Biological Pump

Answer 2

This is the movement of carbon from surface water to geological stores. Phytoplankton sequester atmospheric carbon in the surface water via photosynthesis. Once this has occured smaller organisims eat these phtoplankton. Some carbon is returned to the atmosphee via respiration from these prganisims however phtoplankton and organisims move into deep water via the physical due to thermohaline ciculation. Sedimentation occurs when organisims and phtoplankton reach the seabed.

Question 3

Thermohaline circulation

Answer 3

This process occurs in the ocean where cool more dense water sinks to the bottom of the ocean whilst warmer less dense water rises . This causes a convection current within the ocean

Question 4

Afforestation

Answer 4

Planting trees and vegitation in the aim of increasing forrest cover

Question 5

Decomposition

Answer 5

The break down of matter, often by a decomposer which releases carbon into the atmosphere due to respiration

Question 6

Energy security

Answer 6

The ownership and full control of a country’s energy source , production and transportation

Question 7

Energy pathway

Answer 7

The movement of energy from it’s extraction source through pipes, freight , logistics or cabaling

Question 8

Enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 8

The build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere , reducing the amount of solar radiation reflected into space

Question 9

Inorganic carbon

Answer 9

Carbon stored in carbonated rocks

Question 10

Non renewable

Answer 10

A source of energy that can only be used once to generate electricity or takes thousands of years to replace

Question 11

Renewable

Answer 11

Primary energy that can be re-used to produce electricity or has a short lifetime,
therefore any used can be replaced quickly e.g. Hydroelectric, biomass, solar.

Question 12

Photosynthesis

Answer 12

The process of terrestrial organisims sequestering carbon as well as using sunlight to convert carbon into energy in order for these plants to grow

Question 13

Role of terrestrial and organic organisims?

Answer 13

Regulate carbon levels as well as regulating the earth’s mean temperatures

Question 14

How is soil health measured ?

Answer 14

Amount of organic carbon in the soil

Question 15

Impact of fossil duel combustion on energy pathways

Answer 15

• Increases in atmospheric store
• Increases in terrestrial sequestration due to increase concentration in atmosphere
• Decreases in sequestration due to burning/deforestation of plants
• Increase stores of carbon within deep ocean due to intesification of thermohailine cicrulation
• Decrease in fossil fuel stores

Question 16

Carbon shells

Answer 16

Shells of organisims formed from calcium carbonate which can be compressed into limestone

Question 17

Equilibrium

Answer 17

How the carbon cycle is maintained in a balance

Question 18

Energy security

Answer 18

Ability to acess reliable and affordable sources of energy. These may be domestic, but could also include energy sources from ‘friendly’ countries.

Question 19

Transit state

Answer 19

A country or state through which energy flows on its way from producer to consumer

Question 20

Proxy war

Answer 20

This is a war instigated by a major power that is not always directly involved in the fighting

Question 21

Sustainability

Answer 21

The extent to which alternatives to fossil fuels can be regarded as ‘sustainable’