Physical Geography - Carbon Eq1

Question 1

what is the biogeochemical carbon cycle?

Answer 1

the movement of carbon between different stores (terrestrial, oceans, and atmosphere) and the exchange of carbon between these stores on different timescales

Question 2

what are three main carbon stores in the biogeochemical cycle?

Answer 2

terrestrial - carbon stored in vegetation, soils, and other land-based systems

oceans - carbon stored in the form of dissolved CO2 in the surface waters and as organic matter in the deep ocean

atmosphere - carbon present in the form of CO2 and other gases in the Earth’s atmosphere

Question 3

How are the annual fluxes of carbon between these stores measured?

Answer 3

in Pg (petagrams) and Gt (gigatones)

Question 4

what are the different rates and timescales of these fluxes?

Answer 4

they occur at different rates and on different timescales

for example, the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and terrestrial systems may occur over a period of years or decades while the exchange of carbon between the oceans and atmosphere may occur over a period of hundreds or thousands of years

Question 5

what are the natural processes that drive the movement of carbon between the different stores in the biogeochemical cycle?

Answer 5

photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition

Question 6

how do human activities affect the biogeochemical carbon cycle?

Answer 6

human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have led to increased carbon emissions and changes in the balance of carbon stores

Question 7

why is understanding the biogeochemical carbon cycle important?

Answer 7

for predicting and managing the impacts of climate change as well as for developing strategies for carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Question 8

what is the origin of most of the earths carbon?

Answer 8

geological meaning it is stored in rocks and minerals

Question 9

what are the main types of geological carbon?

Answer 9

sedimentary carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite and biologically derived carbon ground in rocks such as shale, coal, and oil

Question 10

how are sedimentary carbon rocks formed?

Answer 10

from the accumulation of shells and other marine debris in ancient oceans mostly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and formed by the precipitation of minerals from seawater

Question 11

how are shale, coal, and oil formed?

Answer 11

from the accumulation of plant and animal debris over millions of years through heat and pressure over long periods of time

Question 12

what are other forms of geological carbon?

Answer 12

graphite and diamond, formed from the metamorphism of carbon-bearing rocks

Question 13

how does human activity impact the geological carbon cycle?

Answer 13

activities such as mining and burning fossil fuels release carbon stored in these rocks back into the atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change

Question 14

why is understanding geological carbon important?

Answer 14

for managing natural resources such as fossil fuels and for understanding the earths past and present carbon cycle

Question 15

what are geological processes?

Answer 15

natural processes that shape the earths surface such as plate tectonics and weathering

Question 16

what is volcanic out-gassing?

Answer 16

a major source of carbon released into the atmosphere through volcanic activtiy

Question 17

how does volcanic out-gassing occur?

Answer 17

when magma or lava reaches the earths surface and releases gases including CO2 through fumaroles and vents

Question 18

where is volcanic out-gassing particularly significant?

Answer 18

at ocean ridges where new crust is constantly being creates and older crust is being recycled back into the mantle

Question 19

what are subduction zones?

Answer 19

areas where one tectonic plate is being pushed under another creating intense pressure and heat

Question 20

how do subduction zones release carbon into the atmosphere?

Answer 20

by causing the release of gases including CO2 from the subduction plate into the atmosphere

Question 21

what is chemical weathering of rocks?

Answer 21

a geological process that released carbon into the atmosphere through the process by which rocks are broken down and altered by exposure to water, air, temperature changes

Question 22

how does chemical weathering release carbon into the atmosphere?

Answer 22

by causing minerals in rocks to react with water and air forming new minerals and releasing CO2

Question 23

how do human activities affect the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere?

Answer 23

activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels increase the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change

Question 24

why is understanding the role of geological processes in the carbon cycle important?

Answer 24

for predicting and managing the impacts of climate change as well as for developing strategies for carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Question 25

what is phytoplankton?

Answer 25

microscopic plants that float in the surface waters of the ocean

Question 26

what do phytoplankton sequester atmospheric carbon?

Answer 26

during photosynthesis, phytoplankton take CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to produce organic matter such as carbohydrates and proteins

Question 27

what are carbonate shells

Answer 27

hard, calcium carbonate structures produced by some phytoplankton and other marine organisms

Question 28

how do carbonate shells move into the deep ocean water?

Answer 28

through the action of the carbonate pump, which occurs when the shells/tests sink to the ocean floor and are transported by ocean current to deeper waters

Question 29

what is thermohaline circulation?

Answer 29

a global ocean circulation pattern driven by differences in temperature and salinity which helps to distribute heat and nutrients throughout the ocean

Question 30

how does the thermohaline circulation affect carbonate shells/tests?

Answer 30

it helps to transport the carbonate shells to deeper waters where they are less likely to be dissolved and can remain preserved for longer periods of time

Question 31

why is it important for carbonate shells to move into the deep ocean water?

Answer 31

because it allows for the long-term storage of carbon in the deep ocean which can help to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic carbon emissions on the atmosphere and climate

Question 32

why is the study of phytoplankton and carbonate shells important?

Answer 32

understanding the role of phytoplankton and carbonate shells in the carbon cycle can provide insights into how the ocean can be used as a carbon sink and help to guide management strategies for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change

Question 33

what are terrestrial primary producers?

Answer 33

organisms, such as plant, that use light energy to convert CO2 and water into organic compounds through the process of photosynthesis

Question 34

how do terrestrial primary produces sequester carbon?

Answer 34

during photosynthesis, primary producers take in CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to produce organic compounds such as sugars and starches which can be stored in their leaves, stems, and roots

Question 35

what happens to the carbon that is sequestered by primary producers?

Answer 35

some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere through the process of respiration which occurs in all living organisms. respiration is the process by which organic compounds are broken down to release energy, releasing CO2 as a by-product

Question 36

how does respiration return carbon to the atmosphere?

Answer 36

through the process of respiration, consumer organisms, such as herbivores and decomposers, break down the organic compounds produced by primary producer, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere

Question 37

what is the net effect of photosynthesis and respiration on carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer 37

Photosynthesis stores more carbon in the form of biomass than respiration releases back into the atmosphere. This helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to overall carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems.

Question 38

why is it important to study the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer 38

understanding the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems is important for predicting and managing the impacts of climate change, as well as for developing strategies for carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. additionally, studying the relationship between primary producers, consumer organisms, and carbon sequestration can inform conservation and management strategies for terrestrial ecosystems.

Question 39

what is biological carbon?

Answer 39

biological carbon refers to carbon stored in living organisms and their remains

Question 40

how do terrestrial primary producers sequester carbon?

Answer 40

during photosynthesis, terrestrial primary producers such as plants and trees sequester carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass

Question 41

what happens to the carbon stored in terrestrial primary producers?

Answer 41

some of this carbon is returned to the atmosphere through the respiration of consumer organisms such as animals and decomposers

Question 42

what is dead organic matter?

Answer 42

dead organic matter such as fallen leaves, dead plants, and animal remains can also be stored as carbon in soils

Question 43

what happens to carbon stored in dead organic matter?

Answer 43

however, this carbon can also be returned to the atmosphere through the process of decomposition which is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms and other organisms

Question 44

what factors affect the rate of decomposition and the amount of carbon returned to the atmosphere?

Answer 44

the rate of decomposition and the amount of carbon returned to the atmosphere

Question 45

what role does the storage of carbon in soils play in regulating the concentration of atmospheric carbon?

Answer 45

the storage of carbon in soils can play an important role in regulating the concentration of atmospheric carbon and mitigating climate change

Question 46

what is the carbon cycle?

Answer 46

biological carbon storage and decomposition are part of the carbon cycle, which is the continuous movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and land

Question 47

how does the concentration of atmospheric carbon influence the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer 47

the concentration of atmospheric carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide and methane, strongly influences the natural greenhouse effect, which in turn determines the distribution of temperature and precipitation

Question 48

what are the main sources of atmospheric carbon?

Answer 48

carbon dioxide and methane are the main sources of atmospheric carbon

Question 49

how does the concentration of atmospheric carbon affect the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer 49

the concentration of atmospheric carbon strongly influences the natural greenhouse effect. The more carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, the stronger the greenhouse effect will be

Question 50

what is the relationship between the greenhouse effect and temperature and precipitation?

Answer 50

the greenhouse effect determines the distribution of temperature and precipitation on Earth. It regulates the amount of heat that is retained in the atmosphere and affects the amount of water vapor that is present, which in turn affects precipitation patterns

Question 51

how does increasing the concentration of atmospheric carbon affect the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer 51

increasing the concentration of atmospheric carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and methane will result in a stronger greenhouse effect, which can lead to warming temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns

Question 52

why is understanding the relationship between atmospheric carbon and the natural greenhouse effect important?

Answer 52

understanding the relationship between atmospheric carbon and the natural greenhouse effect is important for predicting and managing the impacts of climate change, as well as for developing strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of global warming

Question 53

What role do ocean and terrestrial photosynthesis play in regulating the atmosphere?

Answer 53

Ocean and terrestrial photosynthesis play an important role in regulating the atmosphere by removing carbon dioxide from the air and converting it into organic matter, which can be stored in the form of biomass, dead organic matter, or in the ocean as carbonate shells. This process helps to maintain a balance of carbon in the atmosphere and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Question 54

What role do ocean and terrestrial photosynthesis play in regulating the atmosphere?

Answer 54

Ocean and terrestrial photosynthesis play an important role in regulating the atmosphere by removing carbon dioxide from the air and converting it into organic matter, which can be stored in the form of biomass, dead organic matter, or in the ocean as carbonate shells. This process helps to maintain a balance of carbon in the atmosphere and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Question 55

How is soil health influenced by stored carbon?

Answer 55

Soil health is influenced by stored carbon because carbon is an important component of soil organic matter, which contributes to soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity. Healthy soils with a high carbon content can support a diverse range of plants and animals, and are more resilient to changes in climate and land use.

Question 56

How does stored carbon affect ecosystem productivity?

Answer 56

Stored carbon affects ecosystem productivity by providing a source of energy and nutrients for a wide range of organisms. Carbon stored in soils can also help to regulate the water cycle and maintain soil structure, which in turn supports plant growth and other ecosystem services.

Question 57

Why is the role of photosynthesis in regulating atmospheric composition important?

Answer 57

The role of photosynthesis in regulating atmospheric composition is important because it helps to remove excess carbon dioxide from the air, which would otherwise contribute to the greenhouse effect and climate change. Photosynthesis also helps to regulate the water cycle and support biodiversity by providing a source of food and habitat for a wide range of organisms.

Question 58

How does carbon storage in the ocean and on land impact the overall carbon cycle?

Answer 58

Carbon storage in the ocean and on land impact the overall carbon cycle by regulating the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and land. Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the air and stores it in the form of organic matter, while decomposition and other processes return carbon to the atmosphere. The balance of carbon storage and release helps to maintain a stable climate and support biodiversity.

Question 59

How does the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere impact the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer 59

The concentration of carbon in the atmosphere impacts the natural greenhouse effect by trapping heat and warming the planet. An increase in atmospheric carbon, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, can lead to a stronger greenhouse effect and contribute to climate change.

Question 60

How does the natural greenhouse effect determine the distribution of temperature and precipitation?

Answer 60

The natural greenhouse effect determines the distribution of temperature and precipitation by trapping heat and warming the planet. This can lead to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, as well as more extreme weather events.

Question 61

How does the balance of carbon storage in oceans, terrestrial and soil influence the global climate?

Answer 61

The balance of carbon storage in oceans, terrestrial and soil plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate. The ocean and terrestrial systems are natural carbon sinks that help to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the form of biomass and other organic matter. However, human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels can disrupt this balance and contribute to climate change.

Question 62

What are the factors that influence the amount of carbon stored in soil and how long it can be stored?

Answer 62

Factors that influence the amount of carbon stored in soil include soil type, temperature, moisture levels, and the presence of microorganisms. The length of time that carbon can be stored in soil can vary depending on these factors, as well as the rate of decomposition and the presence of other carbon sinks such as plants and animals.

Question 63

How does human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels impact the ability of natural systems to regulate atmospheric carbon concentration?

Answer 63

Human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels can disrupt the ability of natural systems to regulate atmospheric carbon concentration by releasing large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and reducing the capacity of natural carbon sinks such as oceans, forests, and soils. This can contribute to climate change and disrupt the balance of the carbon cycle.

Question 64

What is fossil fuel combustion?

Answer 64

Fossil fuel combustion refers to the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas to generate energy

Question 65

What are the effects of fossil fuel combustion on the atmosphere?

Answer 65

Fossil fuel combustion releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which can lead to an increase in the concentration of atmospheric CO2 and contribute to global warming and climate change

Question 66

How does fossil fuel combustion affect ecosystems?

Answer 66

Fossil fuel combustion can have impacts on ecosystems, including changes to the hydrological cycle (the movement of water through the Earth’s systems) and increased acidification of oceans.

Question 67

What are the other impacts of burning fossil fuels?

Answer 67

Burning fossil fuels can also have implications for air and water pollution, as well as human health.

Question 68

How can human activities exacerbate the effects of fossil fuel combustion?

Answer 68

Human activities, such as deforestation and land use changes, can exacerbate the effects of fossil fuel combustion by reducing the ability of natural systems to sequester carbon.

Question 69

What can be done to mitigate the impacts of fossil fuel combustion?

Answer 69

Efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy sources can help to mitigate the impacts of fossil fuel combustion on the climate and ecosystems. Carbon capture and storage technology can also play a role in reducing the impacts of fossil fuel combustion.