The carbon cycle Flashcards
Describe the effects of wildfires.
Release large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Turning the forest from a carbon sink into a carbon source.
Ash released can cause heath problems.
How does volcanic activity contribute to the change in carbon levels?
Eruptions release carbon previously stored in the rock.
Why has the demand for fossil fuels increased and what effect does this have?
Industrialisation of rapidly developing countries has led to an increase in the demand for fossil fuels.
Releasing carbon previously stored in organic materials.
Explain how deforestation affects the natural carbon cycle.
Trees naturally die and decompose, releasing carbon which is absorbed by the newly growing vegetation; carbon neutral.
Deforestation releases large amounts of carbon which cannot be accounted for due to the change in land use.
Main sources of carbon emissions in urban areas.
Transport, land use conversion and development.
Explain how farming practices emit carbon.
Ploughing and harvesting, rearing livestock and using fertilisers.
Cattle produces methane.
Rice production accounts for 20% of global methane production.
What is the carbon budget
Used to describe the amount of carbon stored and transferred within the carbon cycle
Describe the impacts of the carbon cycle on land
- Carbon in the form of organic material provides important nutrients and structure to soil
- Valuable energy sources in wood and fossil fuels
- Essential for plant growth and food production
Describe the impacts of the carbon cycle on the ocean
- Carbon converted into calcium carbonate is used by marine animals to make shells
- Vital to the presence of phytoplankton, basic food for marine animals, carbon is passed down the food chain
Describe the impacts of the carbon cycle the atmosphere
- Carbon in the atmosphere warms the earth through the greenhouse effect
- Without this life would not survive
How does vegetation in relation to carbon effect the climate
Vegetation takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen and water through photosynthesis.
Regions with dense vegetation experience higher rates of photosynthesis and respiration, increasing humidity and cloud cover.
Regions experiencing deforestation may become drier and less humid.
Name some of the transfers of carbon
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Decomposition
- Combustion
- Carbon sequestration
- Weathering
Describe photosynthesis as a transfer of carbon
Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air and soil and converted, using energy, to glucose and oxygen
Describe respiration as a transfer of carbon
Glucose converted into energy for growth, repair and movement
Carbon dioxide returned to the air when exhaled
Describe decomposition as a transfer of carbon
Organisms die and are consumed by decomposers, releasing carbon into the atmosphere
Describe combustion as a transfer of carbon
When organic matter is burned in the presence of oxygen its converted into energy carbon dioxide and water
Releases carbon which would have been stored for millions of years
Describe carbon sequestration as a transfer of carbon
‘Capture’ of carbon
The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to plants, soil, rocks and oceans
Describe weathering as a transfer of carbon
Carbon is absorbed by rainwater, forming middle acidic carbonic acid
Dissolves rock and carries carbon in solution to the oceans
Name some of the stores of carbon
- Marine sediments and sedimentary rock
- Oceans
- Fossil fuels
- Soil organic matter
- Atmosphere
Name the largest carbon store
Marine sediments and sedimentary rock (lithosphere)
How does the ocean store carbon
Absorbs carbon directly from the air
Carries carbon in solution
How is carbon released from soil
- Deforestation
- Land use change
- Soil erosion
How is carbon stored in the atmosphere
Stored as carbon dioxide
Name the fossil fuels which store carbon
Coal, oil and gas
Name some characteristics of the carbon cycle seen in the rainforest
- Warm wet conditions ideal for plant growth, encourages photosynthesis
- Wood is a major carbon store
- Respiration of plants and animals releases C02
- Decomposers thrive in warm environments
Name some impacts of human activity on the carbon cycle in the rainforest
- Burning trees releases stored carbon
- Photosynthesis ceases
- Rain washes ash into soil, increasing carbon content
- Plant and animal respiration drops
