Topic 2 environmental cycles

Question 1

Volcanic erruption

Answer 1

• Release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Question 2

Carbon-oxygen cycle

Answer 2

• The cycle that transfers carbon through the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and the hydrosphere.

Question 3

Carbon sequestration
-On land
-In the ocean

Answer 3

• On land, plants take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis and store within their tissues (cells)
• In the ocean, phytoplankton and other marine organisms take in carbon through photosynthesis.
• Oceans also dissolve carbon dioxide.
• CO2 combines with the water and forms calcium formation of calcium carbonate shells.

Question 4

Cellular respiration

Answer 4

• Animals eat the plants and take in O2 to power cellular respiration, and then release CO2 into the atmosphere.
• Works with photosynthesis to act as carbon transfer between organisms.

Question 5

Photosynthesis

Answer 5

• Plant cells absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide and water and convert them into oxygen, water and glucose (energy)
• Works with cellular respiration to act as carbon transfer between organisms.

Question 6

Decomposition

Answer 6

• When organisms die, their organic matter becomes available for decomposition by decomposers.
• Decomposers break down complex organic molecules (like glucose) into simpler compounds (such as CO2).

Question 7

Fossiliasation+ unavailable carbon

Answer 7

• Involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas
• Removes carbon from the cycle as it is transformed into fossil fuels.
• Once fossil fuels are formed, they remain underground until extracted.

Question 8

Combustion of fossil fuel

Answer 8

• When burned, fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
• Fossil fuels are burned for energy production, transportation, industrial processes, and heating.
• Not part of natural carbon cycle (human impact)

Question 9

Limestone weathering

Answer 9

• Limestone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
• Calcium carbonate reacts with acids found in rainwater and soil
• Produces CO2 which is released into the atmosphere

Question 10

Deforestation and fires

Answer 10

• When trees and vegetation are cut down, burned or left to decay, the carbon stored in their tissues and cells is released into the atmosphere as CO2.
• Also results in the loss of carbon sinks.