The Carbon Cycle

Question 1

The Carbon Cycle

Answer 1

Is the carbon recycled endlessly in a complex biogeochemical process.

Question 2

How do ecosystems gain their carbon?

Answer 2

Ecosystems gain their carbon from the atmosphere.

Question 3

How do living things return carbon to the ecosystem?

Answer 3

They return carbon to the ecosystem as CO2 through respiration and when they defecate and die.

Question 4

How does CO2 enter oceans?

Answer 4

CO2 enters oceans by diffusion.

Question 5

Carbon Sink

Answer 5

The ability for forests, oceans, and other natural environments to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Question 6

How are human activities effecting the atmosphere?

Answer 6

The burning of oil and natural gas, cutting down forests to build farms and other human activities release excess carbon into the atmosphere. When that happens it causes the Greenhouse Effect, and the ozone layer to thin. The Greenhouse Effect causes rising temperatures (Global Warming) and the thinning of the ozone layer causes harmful UV radiation to pass through (reflected heat).

Question 7

What happens to CO2 during the night?

Answer 7

Plants release CO2 back into the atmosphere.