The Carbon Cycle Flashcards
Photosynthesis (2)
Plants use light energy from the sun to produce glucose
This removes carbon from the atmosphere and allows vegetation to grow
Respiration (3)
A chemical process that happens in all cells, which converts glucose into energy
Carbon is released back to the atmosphere but less than is absorbed for photosynthesis
Meaning that vegetation is naturally a carbon sink
Decomposition
Carbon from the bodies of dead organisms is returned to the air as carbon dioxide
Combustion
Carbon is burned in the presence of oxygen and converted to energy, carbon dioxide and water
Sequestration
An umbrella term used to describe the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, rock formations and oceans
Diffusion (2)
The movement of carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere
Cold water can hold more carbon so during glacials there is more diffusion into the ocean.
Weathering
The breakdown of rocks in their original place at, or close to, the surface.
Burial and compaction
Where organic matter becomes buried and is then compressed by the overlying sediment
Carbon budget
A way of using data to describe the amount of carbon that is stored and transferred within the carbon cycle
Carbon sink + example
Anything that absorbs more carbon that it releases
Example = ocean
Carbon source
Anything that releases more carbon that it absorbs
Mitigation
Any method used to reduce or prevent emissions of greenhouse gases
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Atmospheric carbon dioxide is compressed into a liquid and is then pumped and stores several kilometres into the ground.
Renewable energy
Energy generated from sources that can be renewed and used multiple times
Carbon farming
Where one type of crop is replaced by another that has greater productivity and absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Hydrocarbons
Compounds of carbon and hydrogen which are the basis of fossil fuels such as oil and gas
Lithosere (3)
Vegetation succession that originates on a bare rocky surface.
Bare rock will be colonised by lichens, followed by mosses and grass.
Soil builds up allowing shrubs and trees to grow until climatic climax is reached.
Sere
A complete vegetation succession
Seral stage
A stage within a sere
Vegetation succession
The sequence of changes that take place as plant life colonises bare rock, sand, water or salty areas
Climatic climax (2)
The final stage of serial succession
Vegetation remains relatively unchanged unless destroyed by an event such as fire or human interference
Humus (2)
The organic component of soil
Formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
Milankovitch cycles (3)
Changes in the shape earth’s orbit and tilt that cause glacial periods and interglacial periods
It is a long-term natural cause of climate change on Earth
It can cause changes to the carbon cycle as cooler oceans absorb more carbon and colder temperatures slow vegetation growth and decomposition
Enhanced greenhouse effect
Rising global temperatures due to greenhouse gases being put into the atmosphere because of human activities
Hydrosphere - carbon (2)
Dissolved in rivers, lakes and oceans
Second largest carbon store = 0.04%
Lithosphere - carbon
Over 99.9% of carbon is stored in sedimentary rock
0.004% is stored in fossil fuels
Atmosphere - carbon (2)
Contains 0.001%
Carbon dioxide and methane
Biosphere - carbon
0.004%
Cryosphere = carbon (2)
Less than 0.01%
In permafrost mostly
What is increasing carbon in world (2)
Wildfires + volcanic activity
Wildfires how (2)
Rapid transfer of large quantities of carbon from biomass to atmosphere
Loss of veg = less carbon removed from atmosphere
Wildfires long term effect (2+)
Wildfires can encourage growth of new plants + photosynthesis
Leads to wildfires = potential to have neutral effect depending on amount + type of regrowth
Volcanic activity what (2)
Carbon stored in earths magma released as co2
Recent eruptions release much less than human activity however there’s potential
Human causes of carbon increasing in atmosphere (4)
Fossil fuel extraction
Deforestation
Farming
Land use change
Fossil fuel extraction + use = increased carbon (2)
Extracting and burning releases co2 to atmosphere
Without humans the carbon would remain sequestered in lithosphere
Deforestation = increased carbon (3)
Cleared fro agriculture, logging and developments
Clearance reduces size of store
If forest is burned = rapid flow of carbon from biosphere to atmosphere
Farming = increased carbon in atmosphere (3)
Animals release co2 + methane = respiration + digestion
Ploughing releases co2 in soil
Population increase = demand for food increased = co2 being released increases
Land use change = increased co2 (2)
Vegetation removed for buildings = reduced storage in biosphere
Concrete production = releases lots of co2
What is the carbon budget
Difference between inputs of carbon into a subsystem and outputs from it
How does carbon effect atmosphere (3)
Carbon effects amount of gases in atmosphere containing carbon
As conc of GHG increases, temp rise = global warming
Changes to climate = extreme weather events
How does carbon effect land (4)
Allows plants to grow = photosynthesis
Decomposition = without it dead plants would remain + nutrients wouldn’t be recycled
Increase global temp = increase frequency of wildfires
Warmer = permafrost melts = releases carbon
How carbon effects oceans (5+)
CO2 in ocean used by phytoplankton + seaweed = photosynthesis
Other marine organisms = shells + skeletons
CO2 makes oceans more acidic = neg impact on marine life
Global waste arming affects organisms sensitive to heat = phytoplankton
Warmer water absorbs less carbon
