carbon cycle 2.1.6 stores, flows

Question 1

Define carbon sequestration

Answer 1

carbon sequestration is the process of capturing carbon and storing the atmospheric carbon dioxide for a long period of time

Question 2

define carbon sinks

Answer 2

a carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases (it as co2)

Question 3

define carbon fixation

Answer 3

carbon fixation is turning co2 into living organic compounds that grows

Question 4

define the carbon cycle

Answer 4

the carbon cycle is the amount of carbon on the earth and in the atmosphere will remain to be and always be the same

Question 5

define a carbon flux

Answer 5

a carbon flux is the process of transferring the carbon btweeen reservoirs (stores)
carbon flux is the flow or carbon

Question 6

define what a carbon reservoir is
or a carbon pool

Answer 6

a carbon reservoir is any place that stores carbon (also known as a store)

Question 7

whats the difference between a carbon sink and a carbon pool/reservoir

Answer 7

a carbon sink sequesters/absorbs more carbon than it releases/emits
but a carbon pool/ reservoir is anything which store carbon, so it can release more carbon than it absorbs

Question 8

List the 5 stores and the amount of carbon in GTC it stores (from largest store)

Answer 8

Largest carbon store

1. Land 100,000,000 GTC
2. Ocean 40,000 GTC
3. Soil 1,500 GTC
4. Atmosphere 750 GTC
5. Terrestrial Biomass 560 GTC

Question 9

List the 6 main FLOWS of carbon in GTC per year in the carbon cycle (from the largest) technically 5 largest as two are joint 4th largest

and the 2 others that are small GTC/year

Answer 9

From the largest flow/flux

1. Photosynthesis 120 GTC/year
2. ocean intake 92 GTC/year
3. ocean loss 90 GTC/year
4. DECOMPOSITION 58 GTC/year
5. Respiration 58 GTC/year
6. Fossil fuel combustion 10 GTC/year
7. Land use change 1 GTC/year
8. Volcanic activity/ burial of sediment 0.01 GTC/year

Question 10

finish the word fill
The ____ balance of c_____ is Fi_____,
so it is a C_____ system

Answer 10

the mass balance of carbon is Finite, so it is a Closed system

Question 11

name the 2 inputs of the carbon cycle

(one is major)
give examples of what this includes for each

Answer 11

1. photosynthesis- LARGEST INPUT - algae, plants, bacteria all absorb carbon from atmosphere
2. ocean uptake (absorption)- due to the 3 carbon pumps
   Also Litterfall from biomass to soil

Question 12

name the 4 outputs of the carbon cycle and the amount of c02 released in GTC/year

Answer 12

1.Ocean loss (release) 90 GTC/year
2. Respiration 58 GTC/year - plant and soil respiration (Decomposition)
3. Burning fossil fuels 10 GTC (human activity)
4. volcanic activity 0.1 GTC/year

Question 13

Outline the two flows below
-litter fall
- decomposition is

Answer 13

Litter fall is the transfer of carbon from biomass store (living plants) to the soil store (detritus pool).

Then the dead organic matter that has been transferred into the soil system, begins to decompose.

Decomposition is a flow of carbon from the soil to the atmosphere, because microorganisms break down the dead organic matter

Question 14

Why does the carbon cycle work so well
Give an example
Name one of the outputs that is causing a problem

Answer 14

The carbon cycle functions because all naturally occurring inputs are equalised by a naturally occuring output.
E.G. ocean uptake is 92 GTC/year and ocean loss is 90 GCT/year

Human activity causes a problem because it is not naturally occurring, therefore there isn’t an input that balances out this output of 10GTC/year