Carbon Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the main stores of carbon in the world?

A
Atmosphere
Oceans
Sedimentary Rocks
Sea Floor Sediment
Fossil Fuels
Soil
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2
Q

What is the main carbon store in the world?

A

Sedimentary (carbonate) rocks -> Limestone, chalk

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3
Q

Examples of carbon flows:

A

Photosynthesis
Weathering
Oxidation

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4
Q

Describe the fast carbon cycle:

A

Uptake of CO2 by plants from atmosphere
CO2 then released back into atmosphere via respiration and dead organic matter
‘Rapid cycle’

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5
Q

Describe the slow carbon cycle:

A

Cycling of carbon between rock stores and the atmosphere through weathering
Organisms form carbonate sediment
Long term stores released via volcanic activity

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6
Q

Describe the atmospheric ocean cycle:

A

CO2 removed from atmosphere (photosynthesis etc..)

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7
Q

Describe the oceanic cycle:

A

Carbon held in dissolved form in water as well as ocean sediment
Inputs and outputs -> gas exchange with atmosphere

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8
Q

Define residence time:

A

How long carbon is contained within a sink

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9
Q

Define natural sequestration:

A

Natural process of taking carbon from flows and storing it

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10
Q

Main processes of carbon cycle:

A
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Precipitation
Weathering
Decomposition
Combustion
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11
Q

How do the oceans ‘take up’ carbon?

A

Physical (Inorganic) and Biological (Organic) Pump

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12
Q

Describe the physical pump:

A

Mixing deep and surface ocean water by vertical currents
Cold water sinks with carbon (downwelling)
Deep ocean currents send carbon rich water to the surface (upwelling)

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13
Q

Describe the biological pump

A

Carbon exchanged between oceans and atmosphere (via marine organisms)
50 Gt of CO2 is moved to atmosphere from biological pump per year

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