The Carbon Cycle on a Local Scale Flashcards
How is Photosynthesis a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
Living Organisms convert Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere and Water in the soil into Oxygen and Glucose using Light Energy.
How is Respiration a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
Plants and Animals convert oxygen and glucose into energy which then produces the waste products of water and CO2
How is Combustion a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
When fossil fuels and organic matter such as trees are burnt, they emit CO2 into the atmosphere, that was previously locked inside of them.
How is Decomposition a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
When living organisms die, they are broken down by decomposers which respire, returning CO2 into the atmosphere.
How is Diffusion a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
The oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere which has increased ocean acidity by 30% since pre-industrial times.
How is Weathering and Erosion a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
Rocks are eroded by carbonation weathering which occurs when CO2 in the air mixes with rainwater to create carbonic acid which aids erosion of rocks such as limestone.
How is Burial and Compaction a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
When marine organisms die, their shell fragments fall to the ocean floor and become compacted overtime to form limestone. Organic matter from this is compacted over time to form fossil fuel deposits.
How is Carbon Sequestration a transfer in the Carbon Cycle?
Transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to other stores and can be both natural and artificial. A plant sequesters carbon when it photosynthesises and stores the carbon in its mass.
How are factories starting to use the process of Carbon Sequestration?
In the form of Carbon Capture and Storage where CO2 is captured and transported via pipeline to depleted gas fields and saline aquifers.
What are the advantages of carbon capture?
- Can be fitted to existing coal power stations
- Captures 90% of CO2 produced
- There is a demand for CO2 so transport systems via pipeline in liquid form already exist
- Potential to capture half the worlds CO2 emissions
What are the disadvantages of Carbon Capture?
- High cost is the main restriction to its growth
- Increases energy demand of power stations
- May not be space to fit it to existing power stations
- Economically viable in some cases as it is used to push oil out the ground, thus further increasing fossil fuel usage.
What is a sere?
A stage of vegetation succession which relates to specific environments.
When does a vegetation succession occur?
When a plant community develops and becomes more complex over time.
What is the climatic climax?
The final stage of the sere where environmental equilibrium is achieved.
What happens when a sere reaches a climatic climax?
The ecosystem is fully developed and stable meaning it will not change dramatically as the equilibrium will counteract any change unless there is a major climatic or geographical change.
