Carbon Budget Flashcards
what is the carbon budget
uses data to describe the amount of carbon that is stored and transferred within the carbon cycle
what is the carbon budget measured in
petegrams
what is the major store of carbon
lithosphere (crust)
what processes are responsible for the greatest transfer of carbon
photosynthesis
ocean uptake absorbs the second highest amount
enhanced greenhouse effect definition
the impact on the climate from the additional heat retained due to increased amounts of co2 in the atmosphere
geo-sequestration definition
technology capturing ghg emissions from power stations and pumping them into underground reservoirs
radiative forcing definition
the difference between the incoming solar energy absorbed by the earth and energy radiated back into space
soil organic carbon definition
the organic constitutes in the soils
what percentage of additional co2 will remain in the atmosphere for many thousands of years
as much as 20%
the enhanced greenhouse effect is causing…
radiative forcing
explain radiative forcing
30% of sunlight is reflected back into space, rest is absorbed by the planet. some of the absorbed energy is radiated back as infrared energy
what happens if the balance is disrupted in radiative forcing
if the balance between the incoming and outgoing energy is anything other than zero, warming (+) or cooling (-) occurs
how does dense vegetation affect the regional climate
dense vegetation= high rates of photosynthesis and respiration= increases levels of humidity and cloud cover
how do volcanic eruptions affect regional climates
volcanic eruptions release co2 along with other gases into the atmosphere- absorbs more radiation= cooling effect
how does more co2 impact the land (3 ways)
more co2 available results in more photosynthesis and plant growth
increased growing season for plants
more co2=higher temperatures which then leads to increased decay of organic matter
