Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What form does carbon exist in?

Answer 1

Solid
Liquid
Gas

Question 2

Carbon cycle pumps

Answer 2

Biological pump - organic sequestration of co2 to oceans via phytoplankton
Carbonate pump - organisms die and sink, many shells dissolve and reach floor, becoming part of ocean currents
Physical pump - cold water absorbs co2, warm releases

Question 3

Calcium carbonate

Answer 3

CaCO3

Question 4

Long term carbon stores

Answer 4

1. Sedimentary rocks, 100,000,000PgC
2. Oceanic 38,000pGc

Question 5

Short term carbon stores

Answer 5

Terrestrial stores(plant matter), 1500PgC
Ocean surface 1000PgC
Atmosphere 560PgC

Question 6

Capacity of soil to store carbon determined by

Answer 6

Soil type - clay soil=better carbon content and protect from decomposition
Management/use - disturbance leads to carbon loss
Climate - plant growth & decomposition rate

Question 7

The greenhouse effect

Answer 7

Incoming short wave radiation - carbon dioxide emissions, absorbed by trees - one wave radiation radiated back into space, some returned to earth

Natural greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour
Synthetic greenhouse gas: fluorinated gases

Question 8

How many grams of carbon dioxide is 1g of carbon

Answer 8

3.67g