Critical nutrients / Biogeochemical cycles

Question 1

What is the carbon-oxygen cycle?

Answer 1

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants

Question 2

What is aerobic and anaerobic respiration with chemical equations?

Answer 2

~Aerobic respiration is the process by which animals, fungi, microorganisms and plants break down glucose to produce energy.
~In the process – oxygen is consumed and carbon dioxide is produced.
~In the absence of oxygen – anaerobic respiration occurs.
~Glucose breaks down in the presence of a catalyst to ethanol and carbon dioxide – releasing energy.
C6H12O6+6O2->6CO2+6H2O+6H2O+ATP

Question 3

What are the processes that contribute to the carbon-oxygen cycle?

Answer 3

~Exchange of CO2 between ocean and atmosphere
~Burning fossil fuels

Question 4

What is the chemistry of ocean acidification?

Answer 4

~Ocean acidification represents a direct chemical change to global ocean chemistry in response to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).
~Ocean acidification occurs when CO2 is absorbed into the water at a high rate.
~It reacts with water molecules (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).
~This compound then breaks down into a hydrogen ion (H+) and bicarbonate ion (HCO3-).

Question 5

What are the effects of ocean acidification?

Answer 5

~Some algae and seagrass may benefit from higher CO2concentrations in the ocean, as they may increase their photosynthetic and growth rates.
~However, a more acidic environment will harm other marine species such as Molluscs, corals and some varieties of plankton.
~The shells and skeletons of these animals may become less dense or strong.
~In the case of coral reefs this may make them more vulnerable to storm damage and slow the recovery rate.

Question 6

What are burning fossil fuels?

Answer 6

~When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air.
~Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming.

Question 7

What is the average global release of CO2?

Answer 7

~Around 35 billion tonnes annually.
~Oceans absorb approx. 26%
~Plants absorb approx. 28%
~Tropical forests have the highest rate of CO2 absorption approx. 1.5 billion tonnes.
~46% ends up in the atmosphere each year.