Inter-relationships between water and carbon

Question 1

The water and carbon cycle?

Answer 1

• Respiration/ decomposition from plants and animals releases carbon as CO2. This is absorbed in rainwater.
• CO2 + Water vapor released through fires and burning fossil fuels. Results in EGE.
• Carbon diffuses into ocean store from atmosphere and can be diffused back into the atmosphere from the ocean. Carbon sink.
• Carbon dissolved in rainwater as carbonic acid, stored/transported in rivers and oceans.
• Hydrosphere absorbs CO2 as it’s soluble, overland flow increased due to deforestation so increase in weathering of rocks.
• Carbonic acid dissolves sedimentary rocks, so dissolved carbon from carbonate rocks is released into the ocean.

Question 2

Positive feedback in the carbon and water cycle?

Answer 2

• Ocean warms due to increased CO2 in the atmosphere, causes EGE and melts sea ice/ glaciers.
• Warmer ocean cannot absorb as much CO2.
• Carbon stored in ocean is reduced and more remains in atmosphere.
• Then increases the EGE and process continues.

Question 3

Negative feedback in the carbon and water cycle?

Answer 3

• Phytoplankton populations increasing due to nutrients released from melting ice and additional carbon.
• Clouds form due to phytoplankton processes (release dimethyl sulphide). Promotes condensation and cloud formation.
• Clouds form and reflect incoming solar radiation.
• Cooler conditions so less melting icebergs to release nutrients = less phytoplankton.

Question 4

Implications of negative and positive feedback for life on earth?

Answer 4

• Less phytoplankton, are important food source as at the bottom of the food chain.
• Increased climate change due to EGE.
• More of the cryosphere melting.

Question 5

Implications of negative and positive feedback on climate?

Answer 5

• Climate becomes increasingly more extreme and unpredictable.
• More clouds and precipitation due to phytoplankton may reduce effects of EGE.