Carbon Cycle Flashcards
zooplankton
animal
phytoplankton
plants
process of biological carbon pump
animals eat the plants, carbon in the plants go to the animals - used for respiration and make calcium carbonate shells
process of biological pump after zooplankton dead
carbon released into the water by animals dying, decomposed plants then take it
Mangrove Soil
Sequester 1.5 metric tones of carbon a year
what does mangrove soil consists of
thick organic layers of little, humus and peat
what happens when mangrove soil is cleared
carbon released
what kind of soil is mangrove
soils are anaerobic as they are submerged in water, decomposition of plant matter is slow
Tundra Soil
much of soil is permanently frozen and contains ancient carbon
global warming and tundra soil
global warming is melting the tundra releasing carbon
what is active in the surface layer of tundra soil
microbe activity is only active in the surface layer when it thaws
what happens to the rest of matter in tundra soil
organic matter remains frozen so carbon is locked in the store
healthy soil characteristics
dark, crumbly, porous contains worms and other organism provide air, water, nutrients contain carbon and organic matter sequester carbon improved resistance to wetter weather retain moisture
why do mangrove soil contain more soil than tundra
more layers for carbon to enter, an anaerobic means less carbon is released
tundra is frozen meaning no carbon is can leave or enter as its frozen
factors affecting energy consumption
physical available environmental problems economic development public perception technology cost
how is consumption of energy measured
kilograms of oil equivalent or megawatt hours per person - measure rises with economic development
energy intensity 0 assessed by calculating the units of energy used per unit GDP
name 4 energy players
OPEC - TNCS, CONSUMERS, GOVERNMENT
OPEC - Role
Control the pricing and how much their is
TNCs - Role
can set prices and sell to consumers - Shell
Consumers - Role
buy it and control how much is used
Gocernment - Role
Energy
Regulate and work with TNCs and check the prices
energy security is priory
Renewables and Recyclables
Nuclear, Wind Power, Solar Power
factors that affect per capita energy consumption
physical availability
cost
standard of living
environmental pritories
how does climate affect per capita energy consumption
high levels of energy consumption in, USA, Middle East, Australia
exit energy needed to make the extremes heat and cold more confortable
Advantages of Nuclear Power
Low carbon energy sources
one of the smallest carbon footprint
reliable cost effective
Disadvantages of Nuclear Power
nuclear waste
malfunctions can be catastrophic
high upfront cost
Uranium is non renewable
How does Nuclear Power work
heats water to produce steam, steam is used to spin large turbines that generate electricity.
Wind Turbines Advanatges
cost effective
wind creates jobs
domestic source of energy
Wind Turbines Disadvantages
noisy
dangerous to wildlife
NIMBY - Not in my backyard
what is causing a decline in ocean health
acidification and bleaching resulting in changes in food webs
fish and crustacean stocks are both declining and changing their distributions
ocean health and tourism
places In the Caribbean that attract scuba divers with the coral reefs, are not bleaching and showing signs of degradation
sea level rise in the Maldives and Seychelles results in wall defences which don’t attract tourists
factors influencing climate change uncertain prediction
oceans population gas use aforestation economies renewable energy
Economies Climate Change Uncertainties
countries developing
Ocean Health and Uncertainties
don’t know how ocean will change with carbons, as ph change biodiversity will change
what is permafrost
Permafrost is ground that continuously remains below 0 °C for two or more years, located on land or under the ocean.
what is peatland
Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing.
changes to thermohaline circulation
colder water getting warmer effects how much carbon is stored and used,
what is adaptation
living with the problem not solving it
mitigation
tackling the root cause of the problem
Adaptation examples
solar radiation management - reflect sun rays back
water conservation and management
land use planning
resilient agriculture system
Mitigation Examples
carbon capture storage - rebalancing carbon carbon taxation renewable switching afforestation and reforestation energy efficiency
Uncertainties about the future
the resilience of carbon sinks rate of population growth degree of climate warming level of GHG emissions release of carbon from peatlands and permafrost
What is meant by afforestation
tree planting in UK increasing helping carbon sequestration, involves national trust, woodland trust
France V USA - Energy Mix
USA rank 2
France rank 10
in energy consumption table
why is total energy consumption for France a tength of the USA
population
USA, France population
318million USA
64.6 Million France
where does the USA get their energy
3/4 from fossil fuels
what is the France energy mix
40% nuclear power
half coming from fossil fuels
Energy Security France v USA
france is much well less placed than the USA
USA more self sufficient
nearly half of its primary energy is imported
