Carbon Cycle Flashcards
What is the most major store of carbon ?
99.9% in lithosphere
State two molecules carbon is stored in within the atmosphere
Methane
Carbon dioxide
Where is carbon stored in the cryosphere?
Permafrost
What is a significant link between water storage in the ocean and carbon flows
CO2 dissolves in water bodies
Give flows within the carbon cycle
Photosynthesis Respiration Decomposition - detritovores transfer carbon to atmosphere Ocean uptake Weathering - acid rain (carbonic acid)
Describe natural climate change
Quaternary geological period
Evidence seen of fluctuations in carbon dioxide levels along with temperature levels
I.e. Correlation doesnt prove causation
Simply when its naturally warmer more CO2 is released e.g. Less in the ocean
Describe a positive feedback loop involving permafrost in the carbon cycle
Permafrost melts
Methane released
Enhanced greenhouse effect
More melting
Describe wildfires as a natural cause of variation within the carbon cycle
Rapid transfer of lost of carbon
Less photosynthesis
But can improve fertiltiy in long term so effect is negated (negative feedback)
Describe volcanic activity as a natural cause of variation within the carbon cycle
130-300 million tonnes of CO2 released annually by volcanoes
Much more active in Palaeozoic age
What percentage of carbon emissions are to do with hydrocarbon burning, who came up with this statistic
90% IPPC
Describe the role of defforestation in the carbon cycle
Reduces biospheric store
Often trees burnt - combustion
Describe who agricultural activities cause changes in the carbon cycle
Paddy fields produce 20% of global methane
Cows produce 5.5 million tonnes of methane per year
Describe a negaive feedback loop in the carbon cycle involving phytoplankton
Increased global temperature favours growth of phytoplankton
Phytoplankton release dimethyl sulphide
Causes cloud formation
Global cooling occurs as less uv hits the earth (more reflected by clouds)
