The Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What is the carbon cycle and what type of system?

Answer 1

Process by which carbon is stored and transferred
It is a closed system

Question 2

What are the flows of carbon between stores?

Answer 2

Photosynthesis
Combustion
Ocean uptake and loss
Sequestration
Respiration
Decomposition
Weathering

Question 3

What is photosynthesis role in carbon cycle?

Answer 3

Transfers carbon stored in atmosphere to biomass
Plants and phytoplankton use energy from sun to convert c02 to glucose and water enabling plants to grow
Carbon passed through food chain

Question 4

What is combustion role in carbon cycle?

Answer 4

Transfers carbon stored in living, dead or decomposed biomass to atmosphere by burning

Question 5

What is ocean uptake and loss role in carbon cycle?

Answer 5

C02 dissolved from atmosphere to ocean. Also transferred to oceans when taken up by organisms that live there - uptake

Carbon transferred from ocean to atmosphere when carbon rich water from deep in the oceans rises to surface and releases c02 - loss

Question 6

What is sequestration role in carbon cycle?

Answer 6

Carbon from atmosphere can be sequestered (captured and held) in sedimentary rocks or as fossil fuels

Question 7

What is respiration role in carbon cycle?

Answer 7

Transfers carbon from living organisms to atmosphere
Plants and animals break down glucose for energy, releasing c02 and methane in the process

Question 8

What is decomposition role in carbon cycle?

Answer 8

Transfers carbon from dead biomass to atmosphere and soil
After death bacteria and fungi break organisms down. Co2 and methane released

Question 9

What is weathering role in carbon cycle?

Answer 9

Chemical weathering transfers carbon from atmosphere to hydrosphere and biosphere
Atmospheric carbon reacts with water and forms acid rain. When this falls on rocks a chemical reaction occurs and dissolves rocks