Carbon

Question 1

Ubiquitous

Answer 1

Carbon is everywhere

Question 2

Fast carbon pathways: land - atmosphere

Answer 2

Photosynthesis
Respiration
Decomposition
Fossil fuel combustion

Question 3

Slow carbon pathways: ocean - atmosphere

Answer 3

Biological pump = driven by phytoplankton, bottom of food web, consumed by other organisms, carbon transferred along food chain.

Physical pump = diffusion, co2 dissolved in surface water as it sinks, downwelling carries carbon.

Question 4

Slow carbon pathways: land - ocean

Answer 4

Weathering, erosion and deposition over time.
Tectonic processes such as an eruption would release carbon.

Weathering - chemical, carbonation driver, bicarbonate when it reacts with the water in solution. Carbonate used by organisms for shells.

Question 5

Peat

Answer 5

Anaerobic conditions by a waterlogged environment. caused by drainage and relief factors.
Over half of UK soil carbon stored in peatlands.

Question 6

Energy budget

Answer 6

Incoming solar radiation
Absorbed by surface
Reflected by surface back into the atmosphere.
Absorbed by atmosphere trapping long wave radiation.
Supports natural greenhouse effect.

Question 7

UK summer heatwave 1976

Answer 7

Extreme heatwave.
Water shortages.
Limits on how much water could be used per day.