elss sg2

Question 1

stores of carbon

Answer 1

1 - sedimentary rocks - 68%
2 - oceans - 26%
3 - fossil fuels - 2.7%
4 - soils/peat - 1%
5 - atmosphere - 0.5%
Lots of carbon stored in the Amazon rainforest, the warm wet conditions mean high plant growth and vegetation so lots of photosynthesis.
LIttle carbon in desert - little vegetation, no photosynthesis, no water.
Lots of carbon in the tundra, it is stored in the permafrost.

Question 2

fluxes of carbon into land

Answer 2

• plants use carbon for photosynthesis: carbon dioxide + water —> glucose + oxygen. Photosynthesis rates dependent on intensity of light, CO2 concentration, water availability, time of year.
• soil decomposition - this is carried out by microorganisms, dead organic substances are brken down into matter. this releases carbon dioxide into atmosphere, some of it becomes hummus

Question 3

patterns and dsitrubution of carbon globally and seasonally

Answer 3

CO2 levels vary throughout the year, less photosynthesis in winter months due to cold temps that are not ideal for plant growth. INdustrial activity - more carbon in northern hemisphere as most economic and industrial acitivity takes place here.
1 - respiration - plant and anmals perform cellular respiration = small % of CO2 into atmosphere
2 - decomposition - decomposers break down organis matter and release CO2
3 - combustion - burning releases CO2

Question 4

oceanic stores of carbon

Answer 4

Physical pump of carbon - Carbon diffuses into the ocean, areas of cold water means water sinks to the deep ocean bringing the carbon with it, this is called downwelling. It gets trapped beneath the ocean into rocks through sedimentation. Areas of warm water rise, bringing carbon with it, this is called upwelling and carbon diffuses out into atmosphere. HIgher temps from global warming = mean carbon would diffuse out of oceans.
Biological pump of carbon - CO2 diffuses into ocean. Phytoplankton use it for photosynthesis. They get eaten by other animals through the food chain. When phytoplankton and other animas containing it die they sink to the ocean floor and become layres (sedimentation). Over millions of years the cmpact under pressure and become sedimentary rocks.