Carbon Cycle

Question 1

Define a ‘sink’, ‘flows’, ‘flux’ and ‘fossil fuels’

Answer 1

Sink: store of carbon
Flows: processes
Flux: amount of energy
Fossil fuels: crude oil, natural gas, coal

Question 2

Discuss carbon

Answer 2

• Element found throughout the universe
• Found in all living thngs
• Capable of bonding with any other element on the periodic table
• Carbon atoms are continually moving and are used repeatedly on Earth

Question 3

Discuss peat

Answer 3

• Forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils, or there are not enough decomposers
• This can be compressed to form brown, soil-like peat
• Highly effective carbon sink
• Once dried, burns easily and can be used as fuel

Question 4

How are fossils formed?

Answer 4

Some animals secrete calcium carbonate, structures to protect themselves, and when the animal dies the soft body parts decompose, with the calcium carbonate remaining and depositing on the ocean floor. Deposits are buried and compressed, forming limestone rock, leaving the imprints of the body on the rock, forming fossils.

Question 5

How is carbon dioxide produced?

Answer 5

Combustion of biomass and fossilised organic matter.

Question 6

How is methane produced?

Answer 6

Organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaens and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.

Ruminants—Methanogens—Atmosphere

Question 7

How can methane in the atmosphere be removed?

Answer 7

Oxidation by hydroxyl radicals.