Slow carbon cycle

Question 1

Name the 5 processes in the slow carbon cycle?

Answer 1

-Transfer of carbon into the oceans from then atmosphere and land surface
-The decomposition of carbon compounds on the ocean floor
-The conversion of ocean sediments into carbon rich rocks
-The transfer of carbon rocks to tectonic margins
-The return of carbon compounds to the atmosphere in volcanic eruptions

Question 2

First step of the slow carbon cycle

Answer 2

-carbon dioxide (from volcanoes and respiration) in the atmosphere reacts with water to form carbonic acid

Question 3

second step of the slow carbon cycle

Answer 3

-carbonic acid then reacts with some rocks to form soluble bicarbonate ions which get carried away by rivers

Question 4

Third step of slow carbon cycle

Answer 4

-bicarbonate is used to form shells

Question 5

fourth step of carbon cycle

Answer 5

-Shells accumulate on the seabed and eventually form carbonate rocks such as limestone (lithification)

Question 6

fifth step of slow carbon cycle

Answer 6

-When heated to the point of subduction, these rocks will emit carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere in volcanic regions during eruptions (volcanic outgassing)

Question 7

How much carbon moves through the slow carbon cycle?

Answer 7

0.01-0.1 Gt of carbon per year

Question 8

How long does carbon take to move between rocks, soil ocean and atmosphere?

Answer 8

-100-200 million years