Carbon Flashcards
What are the main stores of carbon in the world?
Atmosphere Oceans Sedimentary Rocks Sea Floor Sediment Fossil Fuels Soil
What is the main carbon store in the world?
Sedimentary (carbonate) rocks -> Limestone, chalk
Examples of carbon flows:
Photosynthesis
Weathering
Oxidation
Describe the fast carbon cycle:
Uptake of CO2 by plants from atmosphere
CO2 then released back into atmosphere via respiration and dead organic matter
‘Rapid cycle’
Describe the slow carbon cycle:
Cycling of carbon between rock stores and the atmosphere through weathering
Organisms form carbonate sediment
Long term stores released via volcanic activity
Describe the atmospheric ocean cycle:
CO2 removed from atmosphere (photosynthesis etc..)
Describe the oceanic cycle:
Carbon held in dissolved form in water as well as ocean sediment
Inputs and outputs -> gas exchange with atmosphere
Define residence time:
How long carbon is contained within a sink
Define natural sequestration:
Natural process of taking carbon from flows and storing it
Main processes of carbon cycle:
Respiration Photosynthesis Precipitation Weathering Decomposition Combustion
How do the oceans ‘take up’ carbon?
Physical (Inorganic) and Biological (Organic) Pump
Describe the physical pump:
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)
Describe the biological pump
Carbon exchanged between oceans and atmosphere (via marine organisms)
50 Gt of CO2 is moved to atmosphere from biological pump per year