Carbon Cycle Flashcards
What is photosynthesis?
when living organisms convert C02 from the atmosphere and water from the soil into oxygen and glucose using light energy
Equation for photosynthesis:
C02 + water –> oxygen + glucose
What is respiration?
when plants and animals converts oxygen and glucose into energy, which then produces waste products of water and C02
Equation for respiration:
oxygen + glucose –> C02 + water
What is combustion?
fossil fuels and organic matter (trees) are burnt, releasing C02
What is decomposition?
when living organisms die, they are broken down by decomposers (bacteria & detritvores) returning C02 into the atmosphere
What is diffusion? (as part of the carbon cycle)
oceans absorb C02, which increases ocean acidity by 30% since pre-industrial times, which causes things like coral bleaching
What is weathering & erosion?
carbonation weathering, when C02 in the air mixes with rainwater to create carbonic acid, meaning erosion will take place
What is burial and compaction?
when shelled marine organisms die, their shell fragments fall to the floor of the ocean, becomes compacted to form limestone
What is carbon sequestration?
CCS or in plants e.g. photosynthesis
What is a carbon sink?
any store that takes in more carbon than it emits
What is a carbon source?
any store that emits more carbon than it stores
What are the main carbon stores?
- marine sediments & sedimentary rocks
- oceans
- fossil fuel deposits
- soil organic matter
- atmosphere
- terrestrial plants
What is the ‘slow’ carbon cycle?
when the earth tries to keep the balance of carbon stable; happens over millions of years
What is the ‘fast’ carbon cycle?
the ongoing flow of carbon between the land, oceans and atmosphere
State some changes to the carbon cycle (physical & human)
- wildfires
- volcanic activity
- deforestation
- fossil fuel use (combustion)
- farming
- carbon fluxes
What is the Carbon Budget?
the balance between carbon inputs and outputs to a store
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Due to high levels of GHGs from humans using fossil fuels, there is more trapped radiation in the atmosphere
What are some causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect?
- land-use change
- fertilisers
- deforestation
- urbanisation
What is a positive feedback loop?
a process occurs, which causes another process to occur, starting a chain reaction that heightens the first focus
Examples of positive feedback:
- wildfires
- ablation
- thawing permafrosts
What is a negative feedback loop?
a process is counteracted by an opposing process, (nothing) it nullifies the effect
Examples of negative feedback:
- increased photosynthesis
- increased carbon fertilisation in plants
- phytoplankton –> formation of clouds
Ways to mitigate climate change:
- global intervention
- national intervention
- local intervention
Example of global intervention to mitigate climate change:
COP 29
UK said they would cut their C02 emissions by 81% by 2035
Example of national intervention to mitigate climate change:
governments can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, use more renewable energy sources instead
Examples of local intervention to mitigate climate change:
- recycling
- better home insulation
An example of adapting to climate change:
Ice Stupas
In the Himilayas
What is a carbon flux?
the movement of carbon between one subsystem an another
