The Carbon Cycle - Local scale Flashcards
What do transfers do to the carbon cycle?
Act to drive and cause changes in the carbon cycle over time. They all have impacts of varying magnitude over different lengths of time
What are the transfers within the carbon cycle? (8)
Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, decomposition, diffusion, weathering&erosion, burial&compaction, carbon sequestration
What is photosynthesis?
Living organisms convert CO2 from the atmosphere and water from the soil, into Oxygen and glucose using light energy (sun).
Occurs when chlorophyll in leaves of the plants react with CO2 to create carbohydrate glucose.
How does photosynthesis act as a transfer in the carbon cycle?
By removing CO2 from the atmosphere, plants are sequestrating carbon and reducing potential impacts of climate change
How does respiration act as a transfer in the carbon cycle?
Occurs when plants and animals convert oxygen and glucose into energy - then produces the waste products of water and CO2. Chemically opposite photosynthesis.
How does photosynthesis and respiration work together in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis during the day, absorbing more CO2 than they emit from respiration.
No photosynthesis at night, but they do respire, releasing more than they absorb.
How does combustion act as a transfer for the carbon cycle?
When fossil fuels and organic matter are burnt, they emit CO2 that was previously stored within.
Happens when fossil fuels are burnt for energy, or if wildfires occur
How does decomposition act as a transfer for the carbon cycle?
Dead organisms are broken down by decomposers, which respire, returning CO2 into the atmosphere. Some organic matter is also returned to soil where it is stored - adding carbon to soil
How does diffusion act as a transfer for the carbon cycle?
The oceans can absorb CO2, which has increased ocean acidity by 30% since pre-industrial. The ocean is the largest carbon store. But increasing acidity is harming aquatic life (by coral bleaching), including coral reefs
How does weathering and erosion act as transfers in the carbon cycle?
Rocks weathered by carbonation when CO2 in the air reacts with water to create carbonic acid. This carbon is moved through the water cycle and enters oceans.
Marine organisms use carbon to build shells.
Increasing CO2 in the atmosphere may increase carbonation weathering, potentially affecting other parts of carbon cycle
How does burial and compaction act as a transfer for the carbon cycle?
Shelled marine organisms die, shell fragments fall and bury - making limestone.
Organic matter from vegetation and decaying marine organisms is compacted over time, forming fossil fuels
How does carbon sequestration act as a transfer in the carbon cycle?
Transfers of carbon can be both natural and artificial. Plants sequesters carbon during photosynthesis and stores carbon in the mass.
Factories use carbon sequestration (carbon capture and storage CCS). CO2 is captures and transferred via pipeline to depleted gas fields and saline aquifers
What are the advantages of carbon sequestration? (4)
Can be fitted to existing coal power stations.
Captures 90% of carbon produced.
CO2 demand (coca cola, beer, etc) so pipelines of CO2 as liquid already exists.
Potential to capture half of global CO2 emissions
What are the disadvantages of carbon sequestration? (4)
High cost.
Increase energy demand for power stations.
May not have space to fit in existing power stations.
Economically viable in some cases as it pushes oil out of the ground - increases fossil fuel usage
What is a sere?
A stage of a vegetation succession and can relate to specific environments.
