ELSS - Management of greenhouse gas emissions to protect global water & carbon cycle

Question 1

What is the method of carbon sequestration?

Answer 1

Carbon Capture & storage

Question 2

Where does the carbon that is captured come from?

Answer 2

• Power Plants
• Industries

Question 3

Whats’ an example of a pilot scheme for carbon capture & storage?

Answer 3

The Drax Project, Yorkshire coast near Humber estuary

Question 4

Where will they pump CO2 into the depleted gas reservoirs?

Answer 4

Easington gas terminal

Question 5

How much does US contribute to all emissions?

Answer 5

40%

Question 6

How much does iron and steel contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK?

Answer 6

14%

Question 7

What are the limitations of carbon capture & storage?

Answer 7

• Large capital costs: Drax Project cost £1 billion
• 20% - power plant output needed to separate CO2 and compress the gas
• Storage reservoirs need specific geological conditions - porous rock
• Pipelines could leak gas

Question 8

What are the steps in carbon capture & storage?

Answer 8

1. CO2 separated from power station emissions
2. Compressed & transported by pipes to storage areas
   3.Injected in porous rocks deep underground to be stored permanently
3. Also possible to pump CO2 into mature oil fields to enhance oil recovery

Question 9

How has adding methane inhibitors with livestock feed impacted the carbon cycle?

Answer 9

Increase CO2 once oxidised adding to the carbon cycle

Question 10

How does introducing new strains of rice impact the carbon cycle?

Answer 10

• Rice crops that can withstand drier conditions
• Produce less CH4 as there are less waterlogged areas

Question 11

How much more potent is CH4 than CO2?

Answer 11

30x

Question 12

How does applying chemicals like ammonium sulphate - produce CH4 impact the carbon cycle?

Answer 12

CH4 oxidises and turns into CO2 -> enhanced greenhouse effect

Question 13

How does improving quality of animal feed impact the carbon cycle?

Answer 13

DECREASE
- Less CH4 released means less is able to oxidise and create CO2

Question 14

How does manure management impact the carbon cycle?

Answer 14

DECREASE
- Make it aerobic -> stops methane being produced
- Reduce CO2 less CH4 oxidised

Question 15

How does crop residue on fields after harvest protect the carbon cycle?

Answer 15

Leaf litter increases organic matter to increase hummus -> increasing carbon store in soil

Question 16

How does ploughing the soil intensively impact the carbon cycle?

Answer 16

Increased soil overation increasing oxidation of organic matter reducing soil carbon store

Question 17

What is the best carbon store?

Answer 17

Peatland

Question 18

What are wetlands?

Answer 18

Land areas saturated or flooded with water permanently or seasonally

Question 19

What are inland wetlands?

Answer 19

• Marshes
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Floodplains
• Peatlands
• Swamps

Question 20

Where are the largest peat lands found?

Answer 20

• Canada
• Alaska
• Northern Europe

Question 21

Where can peat be formed?

Answer 21

• Standing water
• Lakes
• Edge of slow flowing rivers

Question 22

When is peat formed?

Answer 22

As a result of incomplete decomposition of remains of plants grown in waterlogged areas

Question 23

What occurs in Peatland?

Answer 23

Anaerobic respiration

Question 24

How does trees and veg help stabilise atmospheric carbon?

Answer 24

Photosynthesis

Question 25

How does CO2 return to the atmosphere?

Answer 25

• Respiration
• Decomposition

Question 26

How do wetlands sequester carbon?

Answer 26

Photosynthesis

Question 27

What does anoxic mean?

Answer 27

Oxygen poor

Question 28

What do anaerobic conditions do?

Answer 28

Suppress some decomposition but also create CH4

Question 29

What happens when peat is formed?

Answer 29

Acidity slows decomposition

Question 30

How can leaf litter be trapped?

Answer 30

By the vegetation in the wetland