Carbon Reservoirs

Question 0

Impact of human activity:

Answer 0

More carbon is entering the atmosphere than is being removed. The issue is the rate of increase; 3 x 10^12 kg C yr-1

Mainly a result of fossil fuel use.

Question 1

Biology: responsible for

Answer 1

Photosynthesis by plants and phytoplankton in surface ocean waters.

Question 2

Geological processes: Responsible for

Answer 2

Flooding the atmosphere with O2 by the burial of carbon. For every carbon atom that enters the rock reservoir, one oxygen molecule is left behind.

Question 3

Residence time =

Answer 3

Amount in reservoir / (flux to or from reservoir)

Question 4

Residence time - Terrestrial:

Soil -

Answer 4

25 years

Question 5

Residence time - Terrestrial:

Atmosphere -

Answer 5

6.3 years

Question 6

Residence time - Terrestrial:

Biomass -

Answer 6

4.67 years

Question 7

Residence time - Marine:

Surface ocean -

Answer 7

10 years

Question 8

Residence time - Marine:

Deep ocean -

Answer 8

1027 years

Question 9

Residence time - Marine:

Marine sediments -

Answer 9

5000 years

Question 10

Residence time - Geological:

Carbonate rocks -

Answer 10

200’000’000 years

Question 11

Residence time - Geological:

Calcareous rocks -

Answer 11

200’000’000 years

Question 12

Transfers between reservoirs:

Geological ➡️ Atmosphere

Answer 12

By uplift, weathering and volcanoes.

Question 13

Transfers between reservoirs:

Marine ➡️ Atmosphere

Answer 13

By photosynthesis by phytoplankton in surface water.

Question 14

Transfers between reservoirs:

Marine ➡️ Geological

Answer 14

By burial of marine sediments

Question 15

Transfers between reservoirs:

Terrestrial ➡️ Geological

Answer 15

By burial and lithification

Question 16

Transfers between reservoirs:

Terrestrial ➡️ Marine

Answer 16

By runoff