Carbon starter questions Flashcards
What are the four main processes in the Biosphere?
Decomposition, combustion, photosynthesis, respiration
Write out one equation in the Biosphere.
Glucose+O2 = CO2 + H2O + energy
What is the name of the nutrient rich soil?
humus
What is the unit of measurement for CO2 in the atmosphere?
ppm
How much CO2 is in the atmosphere?
400+
Why is there concern about the cryosphere?
If it melts will release CO2, same amount as is in the atmosphere
What is the term to describe CO2 being released from the ocean?
ventilation
What is the term to describe CO2 being released and absorbed by the ocean?
diffusion
The dissolving of CO2 into the ocean is known as?
acidification
What does organic matter form in the hydrosphere?
hydrocarbons
How do phytoplankton transfer carbon?
photosynthesis
What does coral do with carbon?
Convert into carbonate
What happens to shells and coral?
compaction
What type of rocks form under the sea?
sedimentary
What is weathering?
Breakdown of rock in-situ
How else is carbon transferred from the lithosphere?
volcanoes
What is the % of carbon stored in the lithosphere?
99.985%
What is the % of carbon stored in the Hydrosphere?
0.0076%
What is the % of carbon stored in the Pedosphere?
0.0031%
What is the % of carbon stored in the Cryosphere?
0.0018%
What is the % of carbon stored in the Atmosphere?
0.0015%
What is the % of carbon stored in the Biosphere?
0.0012%
Name 3 fluxes in the carbon cycle
Diffusion Photosynthesis Respiration Compaction Weathering Combustion
Name 3 stores in the carbon cycle - not spheres
Plants Phytoplankton Coral/shells Sea animals Hydrocarbons Sediment Permafrost
Name 3 inputs to the atmosphere
Diffusion
Combustion
Respiration
Decomposition
Name 3 outputs from the hydrosphere
Respiration
Decomposition
Compaction
Diffusion
Name 2 parts of the fast carbon cycle
Diffusion Photosynthesis Combustion Respiration Decomposition
Name 2 parts of the slow carbon cycle
Compaction
Weathering
What is the difference between the fast and slow carbon cycle?
Millions of years, or years ,decades, centuries
Give 4 human factors affecting the carbon cycle
Hydrocarbons, land use change, deforestation, agriculture
Which is responsible for the most - give %?
Hydrocarbons 87%
Why has there been a dramatic increase since the 1950s?
Motor car
What is responsible for between 2.4-5% of global emissions?
cement
What is responsible for between 20-30% of global emissions?
deforestation
Why is this source a concern?
Turning from sink to source
How does what we eat affect the carbon cycle?
Rice and livestock
What other gas is released from this method?
methane
Give 3 natural factors that affect stores of carbon
Warm temp
Cold term
Volcanoes
Wildfires
Is the greenhouse effect a good thing?
Yes
What is the global average temperature and what would it be without the greenhouse effect?
15, -17
What is incoming radiation known as and outgoing radiation?
Incoming - Shortwave,(uv)
Outgoing - Long wave (IR)
What does the sun heat?
The ground
What happens to the outgoing radiation?
Some gets trapped and the rest escapes
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Impact of anthropogenic
What is the balance between incoming and outgoing radiation known as?
Radiative forcing
