Carbon Cycle

Question 1

Carbon footprint

Answer 1

total amount of CO2 attributable to the actions of an individual in the course of one year.

Question 2

What two type of emissions are calculated into an individual carbon footprint?

Answer 2

Direct emission - energy used in home and transport.

Indirect emission - CO2 emissions as a result of goods and services.

Question 3

How can we reduce our carbon footprints? (4)

Answer 3

o Reduce the use of fossil fuels
o Have a carbon tax
o Use alternative energy sources
o Use public transport more

Question 4

What is climate change caused by?

Answer 4

Burning of fossil fuels (e.g. in power stations, domestic heating and transport). This accounts for 70% fo the increase in CO2.
Deforestation - less CO2 removed from atmosphere.

Question 5

What are the consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect? (4)

Answer 5

Melting of polar icecaps and the thermal expansion of water causing coastal erosion and the flooding of coastal areas.
Increased frequency of droughts, hurricanes and forest fires.
Water shortages, serious effects on food production with massive reductions in the grain crops of North America and central Asia.
Increasing CO2 in the ocean decreases the pH, which threatens fish populations and bleaches coral reefs.

Question 6

Name 4 greenhouse gases

Answer 6

CO2, CH4, CFCs and water vapour

Question 7

What is the carbon cycle needed for?

Answer 7

The formation of complex orgainc molecules e.g. carbohydrates, fats, proteins and chlorophyll.

Question 8

Describe the carbon stores

Answer 8

o CO2 is removed from the atmospere ‘carbon sotre’ by terrestrial plants.
o CO2 is removed from oceanic ‘carbon store’ by aquatic plants
o This forms the biosphere carbon stores, i.e. cellulose and carbohydrates.