carbon cycle Flashcards
Top 3 carbon stores?
Lithosphere
Oceans
Soils
Biological Pump?
Phytoplankton photosynthesize. As they are consumed, carbon travels up food chain. Sea creature then dies, decomposes, and the carbon sinks to create carbon sediments.
Carbonate pump?
CO2 enters the ocean via gas exchange to form H2CO3 (carbonic acid). This then disassociates to form bicarbonate ions, used to make shells. Shells can then form carbonate rocks.
Physical pump?
CO2 dissolves into water and exsolves back into the atmosphere. THERMOHALINE CIRCULCATION carries carbon in the water around the planet due to the downwelling of cold salty water.
What is a primary terrestrial producer?
Organisms that photosynthesize on land and SEQUESTERS carbon. Some of this carbon is returned to the atmosphere via respiration of the organism.
Role of decomposers?
Return biological carbon back to the atmosphere from dead organic matter.
Primary energy?
Product directly from natural resource
Secondary energy?
Produced from primary energy sources (to create things like electricity) - transformation process
Role of TNCs when it comes to energy?
- explore + extract energy
- FDI in developing nations that have energy resources
- however may not consider people or the environment during the extraction process
Gazprom (and its issues)?
State owned Russian gas company. Utilises Russian gas reserves. Can be political by changing prices or cutting off supplies.
Role of National Governments when it comes to energy?
- decisions based on physical availability, international agreements, the environment and geopolitical relations
- can influence energy consumption by changing prices, and have some degree of control over where energy comes from
Denmark’s approach to energy?
Moving towards renewables- largest proportion of energy comes from wind, then biomass. Imports clean energy from neighboring countries
OPEC
- Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Counties
- The 14 members control oil production to stabilise global oil prices
- Criticised for monopolising oil markets, and making political decisions, not economic ones
The role of consumers in energy?
- users of the end product, whether it be industrial, domestic, manufacturing or transportation uses
- can influence energy policy through demand and through environmentalists
Nord Stream 1&2
- 1000km long pipeline from Russia to Germany, supplying 110 billion cubic metres of gas to Europe a year
- Pipes exploded underwater in September 2022
- Nord Stream 2 was never completed after Russia invaded Ukraine
- Not sure what caused the explosion, some believe it was Russia
Strait of Hormuz
CHOKEPOINT
- about 20% of the worlds oil travels through here
- only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point
- small disruption can increase oil prices quickly
- Iran says it has full control over the shipping route
Other examples of places prone to pathway disruption?
- 2021 cyber attacks (50% of US east coast supply was shut down)
- Trans-Alaska Pipeline (climate change causing permafrost to melt leaves it vulnerable)
Future uncertainties to do with tipping points?
- Forest Die Back: rainfall in a rainforest is mostly recycled water. If subject to a drought, trees die back, and if this reaches a tipping point, the die back stops recycling moisture leading to more die back.
- Changes to Thermohaline Circulation: Melting ice caps release lots of less dense freshwater into the sea, slowing down the circulation
Future uncertainties to do with feedback mechanisms?
- Peatland: store lots of carbon due to the slow breakdown of vegetation. Warming results on peat drying out, so decomposition increases- warming of 4C will cause 40% loss in soil carbon
- Permafrost: when permafrost melts it releases trapped carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane
Uncertainty over climate change?
Oceans and forests are carbon sinks- may become sources
Tipping points and positive feedback mechanisms
Worsened tropical events (IOD, El Nino)
Uncertainties over human impacts to the carbon cycle?
Economic development = increased energy consumption
Population change increases demand
Technology and Globalisation increases transportation
