Glossary Flashcards
Define Terms
Flux
The rate of energy exchange between reservoirs of carbon. The flow of carbon between each state.
Longwave radiation
Radiation returning to the atmosphere from the Earth in the form of infrared or heat.
Shortwave radiation
Solar radiation from the sun in the form of visible light or UV.
Carbon pool
A system which has the capacity to store or release carbon.
Carbon sink
A carbon reservoir which stores more carbon than it releases back to the atmopsphere.
Thermohaline circulation
the flow and upwelling of ocean water cause by changes in density of the water due to different temperatures it is.
Decomposition
The process of decay, biomass being broken down into basic elements.
Phytoplankton
Tiny aquatic plants, many to small to be seen without magnification, that absorb carbon from the ocean to the food web.
Volcanic outgassing
Releasing water, CO2 and sulpher from a volcanic vent, carbon entering the atmosphere from the lithosphere.
Microorganisms
Organisms too small to be seen without magnification (aka microbes).
Lithosphere
The rock layer beneath the earth’s surface which contains carbon. The largest amount of carbon is stored here- 100,000bmt.
Hydrosphere
All the Earth’s water, mainly oceans, that stores carbon. Carbon diffuses in from the atmosphere and enters the food web.
Sequestration
The storing of carbon.
Positive feedback loop
When 1 process causes a second process to occur and this process causes the first to happen more frequently.
Negative feedback loop
When one process occurs causing another but the second process counteracts he first returning it to equilibrium.
