ELSS - Management of greenhouse gas emissions to protect global water & carbon cycle Flashcards
What is the method of carbon sequestration?
Carbon Capture & storage
Where does the carbon that is captured come from?
- Power Plants
- Industries
Whats’ an example of a pilot scheme for carbon capture & storage?
The Drax Project, Yorkshire coast near Humber estuary
Where will they pump CO2 into the depleted gas reservoirs?
Easington gas terminal
How much does US contribute to all emissions?
40%
How much does iron and steel contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK?
14%
What are the limitations of carbon capture & storage?
- Large capital costs: Drax Project cost £1 billion
- 20% - power plant output needed to separate CO2 and compress the gas
- Storage reservoirs need specific geological conditions - porous rock
- Pipelines could leak gas
What are the steps in carbon capture & storage?
- CO2 separated from power station emissions
- Compressed & transported by pipes to storage areas
3.Injected in porous rocks deep underground to be stored permanently - Also possible to pump CO2 into mature oil fields to enhance oil recovery
How has adding methane inhibitors with livestock feed impacted the carbon cycle?
Increase CO2 once oxidised adding to the carbon cycle
How does introducing new strains of rice impact the carbon cycle?
- Rice crops that can withstand drier conditions
- Produce less CH4 as there are less waterlogged areas
How much more potent is CH4 than CO2?
30x
How does applying chemicals like ammonium sulphate - produce CH4 impact the carbon cycle?
CH4 oxidises and turns into CO2 -> enhanced greenhouse effect
How does improving quality of animal feed impact the carbon cycle?
DECREASE
- Less CH4 released means less is able to oxidise and create CO2
How does manure management impact the carbon cycle?
DECREASE
- Make it aerobic -> stops methane being produced
- Reduce CO2 less CH4 oxidised
How does crop residue on fields after harvest protect the carbon cycle?
Leaf litter increases organic matter to increase hummus -> increasing carbon store in soil
How does ploughing the soil intensively impact the carbon cycle?
Increased soil overation increasing oxidation of organic matter reducing soil carbon store
What is the best carbon store?
Peatland
What are wetlands?
Land areas saturated or flooded with water permanently or seasonally
What are inland wetlands?
- Marshes
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Floodplains
- Peatlands
- Swamps
Where are the largest peat lands found?
- Canada
- Alaska
- Northern Europe
Where can peat be formed?
- Standing water
- Lakes
- Edge of slow flowing rivers
When is peat formed?
As a result of incomplete decomposition of remains of plants grown in waterlogged areas
What occurs in Peatland?
Anaerobic respiration
How does trees and veg help stabilise atmospheric carbon?
Photosynthesis
How does CO2 return to the atmosphere?
- Respiration
- Decomposition
How do wetlands sequester carbon?
Photosynthesis
What does anoxic mean?
Oxygen poor
What do anaerobic conditions do?
Suppress some decomposition but also create CH4
What happens when peat is formed?
Acidity slows decomposition
How can leaf litter be trapped?
By the vegetation in the wetland
