ELSS Carbon Glossary Flashcards

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1
Q

Biological weathering

A

The breakdown of rocks through chemical and physical action of living organisms

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2
Q

Carbon sink

A

A long term of carbon in ocean sediment, carbonate rocks, forests etc

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3
Q

Carbon source

A

Inputs of carbon to the atmosphere by respiration, combustion and decomposition

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4
Q

Carbonaceous rocks

A

Rocks mainly comprising the fossilised remains of plants, e.g. lignite and coal

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5
Q

Carbonate rock

A

Rocks comprising carbonate minerals e.g. limestone

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6
Q

Chemical weathering

A

The in situ breakdown of rocks by chemical processes such as oxidation, solution, chelation and hydrolysis

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7
Q

Combustion

A

Process of burning

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8
Q

Decomposer

A

An organism often a bacterium or fungus that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter

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9
Q

Diffusion

A

Process of spreading of particles within liquids and gases

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10
Q

Downwelling

A

The sinking of sense, salty water in the oceans

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11
Q

Flux

A

The rate of energy transfer per unit area

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12
Q

Gigaton

A

1 billion tons

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13
Q

Lithification

A

The transformation of sediment into rock

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14
Q

Marine snow

A

The remains or organisms living in the oceans upper layer, which falls to deeper water.

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15
Q

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

A

The rate at which plants accumulate energy in the form of organic matter taking into account the energy used in respiration

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16
Q

Photic zone

A

Shallow layer of water in the ocean that light penetrates, on average to about 50m

17
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Process by which green plants convert water and co2 into starch and sugar in the presence of sunlight

18
Q

Phytoplankton

A

Tiny photosynthesising marine organisms in the surface waters of the ocean

19
Q

Primary producer

A

Green plants (both terrestrial and marine) that converts sunlight , co2 and mineral nutrients into photosynthesis, into organic matter

20
Q

respiration

A

The process in living organisms where the intake of oxygen oxidises organic substances to produce energy and release co2

21
Q

Sequestration

A

The removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks ( such as oceans, forests or soils) through physical or biological processes

22
Q

Terrestrial

A

On land

23
Q

Thermohaline circulation

A

The global pattern of ocean currents driven primarily by differences in temperature and salinity

24
Q

Zooplankton

A

Tiny marine animals living in the surface waters of the ocean