Global Distribution And Size Of Major Stores Of Carbon Flashcards
How much carbon on Earth is stored in the Lithosphere?
71% (largest store)
How much carbon on Earth is stored in the Hydrosphere?
27%
How much carbon on Earth is stored in the Biosphere?
1.42%
How much carbon on Earth is stored in the Atmosphere?
0.51% (smallest store)
Where/how is carbon stored in the Lithosphere?
Stored in sedimentary rock (e.g limestone or chalk) and as fossil fuels
Where/how is carbon stored in the Hydrosphere?
Stored as dissolved carbon dioxide which is absorbed directly from the Atmosphere
Also, stored as calcium carbonate in the shells of sea creatures which can sink to the sea bed and become Marine Sediment
Stored in deep oceans (less than 5% stored near to oceans surface)
Where/how is carbon stored in the Biosphere?
Stored as organic molecules in living and dead plants and animals
Can be stored in soil as organic matter
Where/how is carbon stored in the Atmosphere?
Stored as a gas - carbon dioxide or methane (CH4)
Describe Lithosphere Store
- stored in sedimentary rock (e.g. Limestone or chalk and as fossil fuels)
- this is a long term store taking millions of years to form
- slow carbon Store = carbon released slowly unless human intervention involved
- this is the largest store
Describe Hydrosphere Store
- Stored as dissolved carbon dioxide which is absorbed directly from the Atmosphere
- Also stored as calcium carbonate in the shells of sea creatures - which can sink to the sea bed and become marine Sediment
- Most Carbon is stored in the deep oceans (less than 5% is found near the ocean surface)
- The inputs and outputs are by gas exchange with the Atmosphere, and also of organic carbon and carbonate ions from Overland flow
- as the Hydrosphere Store is large, small changes in the carbon cycle have significant global impacts
Describe Biosphere
- stored as organic molecules in living and dead plants and animals
- can be stored in the soil as organic matter for hundreds of years
- decomposition can release carbon into the Atmosphere
Describe Atmosphere
- stored as a gas - CO2 or methane (CH4)
- these are natural greenhouse gases which allows the planet to be warm enough for life to exist
- methane lasts a short time in the Atmosphere (about 12 years) as it is a reactive chemical
- carbon dioxide lasts longer than methane (50 years) because it is relatively unreactive and relies on interactions with terrestrial and oceanic carbon cycles to be removed from the Atmosphere (e.g. Photosynthesis)
- scientists estimate that the earth’ temperature is around 25 degrees warmer as a consequence of the greenhouse effect
Why is Carbon Important in the Lithosphere (on land)?
- Carbon in the form of organic matter (called litterfall) makes soil fertile and so indirectly supports plant growth and the production of food (crops and livestock)
- Carbon provides energy in the form of wood and fossil fuels and so indirectly supports domestic and industrial activities
Why is Carbon Important in the Hydrosphere (in oceans)?
- Carbon dioxide enables phytoplankton to photosynthesise. They are tiny marine organisms at the base of the ocean food web and so vital for all marine life
- Carbon can be converted into calcium carbonate which is used by some Marine organisms to build shells
Why is Carbon Important in the Atmosphere (In air)?
- Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and helps to warm the earth (by 23 degrees) through the greenhouse effect. Without this, there would probably be no life on Earth
- however, human activities add additional carbon dioxide to the Atmosphere. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect.
