The carbon cycle Flashcards
Define anthropogenic CO2
Carbon dioxide generated by human activity.
Define biosphere
The total sum of all living matter.
Define carbon sequestration
The capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of capturing anthropogenic CO2 from large-scale stationary sources like power plants before it is released to the atmosphere. Once captured, the CO2 gas is put into long-term storage.
Define carbon sink
A store of carbon that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
Define greenhouse gas
Any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere.
What is the lithosphere?
The crust and the uppermost mantle; this constitutes the hard and rigid outer layer of the Earth.
Define weathering
The breakdown of rocks in situ by a combination of weather, plants and animals.
What is enhanced greenhouse effect?
What is geo-sequestration?
The technology of capturing greenhouse gas emissions from power stations and pumping them into underground reservoirs.
What is radiative forcing?
The difference between the incoming solar energy absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated back to space.
What is soil organic carbon (SOC)?
The organic constituents in the soil: tissues from dead plants and animals, products produced as these decompose and the soil microbial biomass.
