carbon cycle - lqc 16

Question 1

carbon neutral

Answer 1

the amount of co2 released during combustion is equal to the amount taken from the atmosphere in recent photosynthesis, no net increase in co2 in the atmosphere

Question 2

what is the role of microorganisms in the carbon cycle

Answer 2

recycle plant biomass, release co2 during respiration in the decomposition of organic matter, the co2 is then available for photosynthesis

Question 3

what are the two main factors likely to be responsible for the carbon cycle being out of balance and describe the roles

Answer 3

1) combustion of fossil fuels - released the carbon as co2 which has been out of circulation of millions of years
2) deforestation- causes photosynthesis to drop so there is a net grain of co2 in the atmosphere

Question 4

what other factors can upset the carbon balance

Answer 4

volcanoes, creation of marine sediments, erosion and chemical weather (acid rain), rising global temps

Question 5

biofuels in maintaining balance in the carbon cycle

Answer 5

source of energy produced, directly in plants or indirectly in animals by recent photosynthesis

Question 6

reforestation in maintaining balance in the carbon cycle

Answer 6

lots of carbon fixation to produce biomass

Question 7

carbon source

Answer 7

rate of co2 production is greater than rate of co2 use

Question 8

carbon sink

Answer 8

rate of co2 use / store is greater than rate of co2 production