W&C - The Carbon Cycle: Local Scale

Question 1

What are the transfers in the carbon cycle on a local scale?

Answer 1

• photosynthesis
• respiration
• combustion
• diffusion
• decomposition
• burial and compaction
• weathering and erosion
• carbon sequestration

Question 2

How does photosynthesis and respiration act as a transfer?

Answer 2

Photosynthesis = plants sequester carbon, which can reduce the potential of climate change
Respiration = release CO2, primarily at night time

Question 3

How does combustion act as a transfer?

Answer 3

• burning fossil fuels and plants release the CO2 that was locked in them (when using energy or in forest fires)

Question 4

How does decomposition act as a transfer?

Answer 4

• decomposers release CO2 during respiration when breaking down dead organisms

Question 5

How does diffusion act as a transfer?

Answer 5

Oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere (has increased ocean acidity by 30% since pre industrial levels)

Question 6

How does burial and compaction act as a transfer?

Answer 6

• dead marine organisms fall to the ocean floor and become compact
• over time, they form fossil fuel deposits

Question 7

How does weathering and erosion act as a transfer?

Answer 7

• CO2 from the air mixes with rainwater, to form carbonic acid, which erodes rocks
• this carbon then moves into oceans through the water cycle, increasing CO2 levels in oceans

Question 8

How does carbon sequestration act as a transfer?

Answer 8

Natural = plants absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store the carbon in themselves
Artificial = CCS factories capture carbon and store it in saline aquifers (through pipelines)

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of carbon sequestration?

Answer 9

Advantages
- stores 90% of carbon released
- has the potential to store half of the worlds CO2 emissions

Disadvantages
- increases the energy demand of power stations
- expensive/costly

Question 10

What is a sere?

Answer 10

The carbon cycle at a local scale in a plant (also a stage in the vegetation succession)

Question 11

What is a vegetation succession?

Answer 11

When a plant community develops and becomes more complex

Question 12

What is a climatic climax?

Answer 12

The final stage of an ecosystem, where it is fully developed and stable (at equilibrium)