Processes in the Carbon Cycle

Question 1

definition

Answer 1

the transfer of carbon and how it moves, drives and causes changes

Question 2

photosynthesis

Answer 2

it uses sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to help plants grow and releases oxygen and glucose

Question 3

respiration

Answer 3

releases CO2 into the atmosphere, soil and oceans

Question 4

combustion

Answer 4

burning of something to release energy when oxygen is present

Question 5

decomposition

Answer 5

break down of plants or animals to release carbon into the atmosphere. decomposers can be bacteria and can be released into soil as long as oxygen is present

Question 6

diffusion

Answer 6

oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere making them acidic which bleaches coral and makes the shells on creatures go soft. acidity levels have increased by 30% since the industrial revolution

Question 7

carbon sequestration

Answer 7

transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to other stores can be natural or artificial.
a plant sequesters carbon when it photosynthesises and stores it as a carbon mass. an artificial store is carbon capture and storage via a pipeline into a depleted gas field

Question 8

carbon sequestration advantages

Answer 8

reduces global warming as it captures CO2 from the atmosphere
pipelines normally pre-exist and can be easily fitted to coal power stations
they have the potential to capture 1/2 of the worlds C02 emissions

Question 9

carbon sequestration disadvantages

Answer 9

oil fields leak CO2 over time, very expensive to fit, increasing energy demand from power stations, high cost to maintain, not always space to fit them in existing power plants