Carbon Cycle Flashcards
What are natural processes that effect the carbon cycle
Wildfires - rapidly transfer large amounts of carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere
- loss of vegetation decreases photosynthesis
Volcanos - releases large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere
What are human processes that effect the carbon cycle
Burning fossil fuels - releases carbon into the atmosphere
Deforestation - releases store carbon into the atmosphere
Biosphere -> atmosphere
Farming practices- animals releases carbon
-> digging up soil releases carbon
Changing land use - vegetation is cleared to build structures
What inputs carbon into the atmosphere
Volcanic activity
Burning fossil fuels
Respiration
Decomposition
Weathering
Wildfires
Deforestation
What takes carbon out of the atmosphere
Photosynthesis
Carbon sequestration
Afforestation
What presence does carbon have on land
Carbon is responsible for the formation of soil
Carbon is essential for plant growth
Carbon in grass provides fodder for animals
Carbon is a valuable source of energy
What presence does carbon have in the ocean
The ocean is a major store of carbon
Carbon helps marine organisms build shells
Phytoplankton consumes carbon, they are a source of food for marine life
What presence does carbon have on the atmosphere
Carbon helps warm the atmosphere
Due to human activity the atmosphere is heating up to fast
What is the carbon budget
The difference between the inputs of carbon and the outputs of carbon, as well as the amount of carbon stored and transferred
What is a carbon source
Something that releases more carbon then it can absorb
What is a carbon sink
Something that absorbs more carbon then it releases
What is photosynthesis
The process of plants using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy.
What is respiration
The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by animals as they exhale
What is decomposition
The process of matter breaking down
Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Bacteria and fungi are decomposers
Decomposition can be blocked if the matter is frozen
What is combustion
The process of burning a substance in the presence of oxygen in order to release energy
Releases carbon dioxide
Mainly fossil fuels being burnt
What is carbon sequestration
The process of capturing carbon from the atmosphere
Biological - using living things to take carbon out of the atmosphere -> afforestation
Geological - storing it underground in rock
Technological - converting carbon into small pellets and burying it
What is weathering
The breaking down of rocks
Physical weathering - physical processes such as rain, wind and air temperature cause the rock to break down
Chemical weathering - rocks are broken down by chemical reactions
Biological weathering - caused by the movement of plants and animals
Releases stored carbon
How do farming practices affect the carbon cycle
Animals releases carbon through respiration
Digging up soil to plant things releases carbon
Machines used to plow fields release carbon
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle
Releases stored carbon -> more in atmosphere
How does land use affect the carbon cycle
Clearing of land - Deforestation to clear land releases carbon
How does burning fossil fuels affect the carbon cycle
Realise carbon into the atmosphere
What is the relationship between water and carbon
Water stores carbon and transfers carbon through rainfall
Changes in one cycle affect the other
Carbon cycle relies more on the water cycle then the water cycle does on the carbon cycle
Vegetation is important to both
-stores carbon
-movement of water through transpiration
No water means poor quality vegetation
- leads to dryness and wildfires, which releases stored carbon, creating positive feedback
Soil
->important to both
-> good quality soils allows for more infiltration
-> good quality soil stores more carbon
What is an example of the relationship between water and carbon
Rains
Transfers carbon from the atmosphere to biosphere
Plants absorb carbon
Total amount of carbon in the atmosphere decreases
What is negative feedback in the carbon cycle
Carbon in the atmosphere
Carbon causes plants to grow
Plants remove and store carbon
Total carbon in the atmosphere decreases
What is positive feedback in the carbon cycle
Burning fossil fuels
Increases global temp
Increases global respiration
Increases carbon in the atmosphere
Increases global temp
