Inorganic Carbon Cycle Flashcards
exothermic
more energy is released by a broken carbon bond than is needed to break the bond
increased temperatures allow for carbon bonds to break
importance of carbon
wide range of molecules
reservoir of stable, stored energy
energy store for biological life
fossil fuels
greenhouse heating
the carbon cycle
movement of element carbon through abiotic and biotic reservoirs on the planet
timescale is important, divisions based on it and where the carbon is located
linkage, source, sink
process linking 2 reservoirs of carbon
releases more carbon than it receives through linkages
receives more carbon than it releases
reservoirs in carbon cycle
atmosphere (some Gt, short term)
oceans (more Gt, long termer)
sedimentary rocks + fossil fuels (most, longest term)
Precipitation in the carbon cycle
carbonic acid (water vapor and water) moves directly into oceans or chemical weathers where ions are eventually washed into oceans
Solubility pump
involves direct exchange between atmosphere and ocean (both ways, reversible)
involves carbonic acid, bicarbonate ions, carbonate ions, H+
eventually is deposited into sediment
Deposition
undergoes chemical transformation and enters sedimentary rock reservoir for long term stable storage
- calcium carbonate formed by calcium and carbonate ions spontaneously (or by animals for shells)
- calcium carbonate deposits on ocean floor and forms rocks (limestone)
Volcanism as part of the carbon cycle
melted rock and gasses rise towards the surface
ultimately reaching the crust and emerging in the atmosphere,
oceanic forced to subduct CO2 released as broken down and as gas
creates new lava rock which is easily weathered
triple whammy
Mountain-Building Events
often with rock not previously exposed to chemical weather
especially in rainy areas
