carbon cycle transfers Flashcards
what is weathering?
Co2 is removed from the atmosphere- dissolves in water-> carbonic acid= rain, reacts with minerals in rock
what are biotic components?
biotic components use stored carbohydrates from photosynthesis (an energy source) to perform life functions through respiration
what is burial?
marine organisms die-> skeletons sink to the bottom of the ocean-> buried by sediment= sedimentary limestone
(tectonic uplift exposes limestone e.g. himalayas)
what is a biological pump?
organisms move carbon in one direction from atmosphere to surface waters and eventually rocks
what happens during subduction?
the carbonaceous sea floor deposits are pushed into the mantle where it melts and rises back up to earths surface through volcanic eruptions
what happens to carbon during volcanic eruptions?
CO2 returns to the atmosphere thorough eruptions, vents, or hot springs
what happens to carbon during burning?
burning releases the stores carbon into the atmosphere-> greenhouse gas
what does decomposition ensure?
important elements of life e.g. carbon, oxygen, hydrogen can be continually recycled into soil, availability of these elements limit plant growth
what is vertical deep mixing? How does this transfer carbon (describe carbon pump)
vertical deep mixing= the movement of CO2 in the oceans-
carbon pump= warm water in oceans surface is carried from tropics-> polar regions (cools-> denser + sinks below surface layer= takes carbon into ocean depths) = CARBON PUMP- ensures CO2 is exchanged between ocean and atmosphere
how does upwelling transfer carbon?
if cold water rises, it will warm up-> releasing some co2 into atmosphere
how does diffusion transfer carbon?
water dissolves CO2, colder waters absorb more carbon= negative correlation between water temperature and CO2 that can be dissolved
