upsetting balance - pack 16

Question 1

what environmental factors affect co2 levels in the air

Answer 1

• volcanos may release co2
• co2 being continuously lost to the ocean
• increase in acid rain may increase the rate that co2 is released by erosion of limestone

Question 2

peat bogs

Answer 2

microbial decomposition of peat in soul releases co2 - an increase in global temps, prolonging the summer thaw of arctic tundra may increase decomposition of peat, increase co2 release into atmosphere

Question 3

water temperature affect the co2 balance

Answer 3

warm water holds less co2 - an increase in sea temps would release co2 into atmosphere

Question 4

equation of interaction between co2 and water

Answer 4

Question 5

when water is cold

Answer 5

when co2 concentration is high it will dissolve into the oceans. the reaction will proceed to the right to form carbonic acid. in solution this acid forms bicarbonate and hydrogen ions (H+). the increase in H+ causes the ocean to become acidic

Question 6

when water is warm

Answer 6

due to warm water being able to hold less co2, co2 is evolved from the oceans into the atmosphere. co2 levels in the atmosphere rise. as global warming increases and the temp of the earths surface, oceans and atmosphere increases

Question 7

the major concequences of oceans warming

Answer 7

1) the oceans are unable to absorb excess co2 from the atmosphere- co2 levels rise
2) the oceans release co2 back into the atmosphere- co2 levels rise even further leading to increased global warming