Carbon

Question 1

What are the main stores of carbon in the world?

Answer 1

Atmosphere
Oceans
Sedimentary Rocks
Sea Floor Sediment
Fossil Fuels
Soil

Question 2

What is the main carbon store in the world?

Answer 2

Sedimentary (carbonate) rocks -> Limestone, chalk

Question 3

Examples of carbon flows:

Answer 3

Photosynthesis
Weathering
Oxidation

Question 4

Describe the fast carbon cycle:

Answer 4

Uptake of CO2 by plants from atmosphere
CO2 then released back into atmosphere via respiration and dead organic matter
‘Rapid cycle’

Question 5

Describe the slow carbon cycle:

Answer 5

Cycling of carbon between rock stores and the atmosphere through weathering
Organisms form carbonate sediment
Long term stores released via volcanic activity

Question 6

Describe the atmospheric ocean cycle:

Answer 6

CO2 removed from atmosphere (photosynthesis etc..)

Question 7

Describe the oceanic cycle:

Answer 7

Carbon held in dissolved form in water as well as ocean sediment
Inputs and outputs -> gas exchange with atmosphere

Question 8

Define residence time:

Answer 8

How long carbon is contained within a sink

Question 9

Define natural sequestration:

Answer 9

Natural process of taking carbon from flows and storing it

Question 10

Main processes of carbon cycle:

Answer 10

Respiration
Photosynthesis
Precipitation
Weathering
Decomposition
Combustion

Question 11

How do the oceans ‘take up’ carbon?

Answer 11

Physical (Inorganic) and Biological (Organic) Pump

Question 12

Describe the physical pump:

Answer 12

Mixing deep and surface ocean water by vertical currents
Cold water sinks with carbon (downwelling)
Deep ocean currents send carbon rich water to the surface (upwelling)

Question 13

Describe the biological pump

Answer 13

Carbon exchanged between oceans and atmosphere (via marine organisms)
50 Gt of CO2 is moved to atmosphere from biological pump per year