Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What are natural processes that effect the carbon cycle

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What are human processes that effect the carbon cycle

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What inputs carbon into the atmosphere

Answer 3

Volcanic activity
Burning fossil fuels
Respiration
Decomposition
Weathering
Wildfires
Deforestation

Question 4

What takes carbon out of the atmosphere

Answer 4

Photosynthesis
Carbon sequestration
Afforestation

Question 5

What presence does carbon have on land

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What presence does carbon have in the ocean

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What presence does carbon have on the atmosphere

Answer 7

Carbon helps warm the atmosphere

Due to human activity the atmosphere is heating up to fast

Question 8

What is the carbon budget

Answer 8

The difference between the inputs of carbon and the outputs of carbon, as well as the amount of carbon stored and transferred

Question 9

What is a carbon source

Answer 9

Something that releases more carbon then it can absorb

Question 10

What is a carbon sink

Answer 10

Something that absorbs more carbon then it releases

Question 11

What is photosynthesis

Answer 11

The process of plants using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy.

Question 12

What is respiration

Answer 12

The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by animals as they exhale

Question 13

What is decomposition

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is combustion

Answer 14

The process of burning a substance in the presence of oxygen in order to release energy

Releases carbon dioxide

Mainly fossil fuels being burnt

Question 15

What is carbon sequestration

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What is weathering

Answer 16

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

Question 17

How do farming practices affect the carbon cycle

Answer 17

Animals releases carbon through respiration

Digging up soil to plant things releases carbon

Machines used to plow fields release carbon

Question 18

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle

Answer 18

Releases stored carbon -> more in atmosphere

Question 19

How does land use affect the carbon cycle

Answer 19

Clearing of land - Deforestation to clear land releases carbon

Question 20

How does burning fossil fuels affect the carbon cycle

Answer 20

Produces carbon -> warms atmosphere

Question 21

What is the relationship between water and carbon

Answer 21

Water stores carbon and transfers carbon through rainfall

Carbon is absorbed by plants which require water

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

Question 22

What is an example of the relationship between water and carbon

Answer 22

Rains

Transfers carbon from the atmosphere to biosphere

Plants absorb carbon

Total amount of carbon in the atmosphere decreases

Question 23

What is negative feedback in the carbon cycle

Answer 23

Carbon in the atmosphere

Carbon causes plants to grow

Plants remove and store carbon

Total carbon in the atmosphere decreases

Carbon in the atmosphere

Plant trees

Trees absorb carbon and store it

Total carbon in the atmosphere decreases

Question 24

What is positive feedback in the carbon cycle

Answer 24

Burning fossil fuels

Increases global temp

Increases global respiration

Increases carbon in the atmosphere

Increases global temp