Anthropogenic affect on the Carbon Cycle

Question 1

Pre-Industrial CO2 levels

Answer 1

280ppm

Question 2

Post-Industrial CO2 levels

Answer 2

428ppm

Question 3

2050 Forecasted CO2 levels

Answer 3

500ppm

Question 4

Causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 4

Burning of fossil fuels, Deforestation, Agriculture, Industrial Powers

Question 5

Changes in Photosynthesis - Deforestation

Answer 5

Humans cut down vast amount of forest cover, this reduces the flux of carbon from the atmosphere into forested areas

Question 6

Changes in Photosynthesis - Afforestation

Answer 6

Humans can increase the rate of transfer by planting trees in areas that have not historically had tree cover before. This can go wrong by planting the wrong type of tree for the land. (See China)

Question 7

Changes in Photosynthesis - Reforestation

Answer 7

Humans can increase the rate of transfer by replanting trees where they have once been deforested.

Question 8

Changes in Photosynthesis - Marine Pollution (Phytoplankton)

Answer 8

Toxins in the oceans mean that ocean organisms, such as phytoplankton are dying. Without these, less of the oceans CO2 is stored.

Question 9

Changes in Photosynthesis - Marine Pollution (Algae)

Answer 9

Algae often lives on sea ice, reduced sea ice levels means there is less algae. Krill eat algae, which is a carbon store as it undergoes photosynthesis, defecating the carbon to the bottom of the ocean keeping it stored there.

Question 10

Changes in Aerobic Respiration - Agriculture

Answer 10

DOM contains a lot of carbon. When soil is ploughed by farmers the carbon is able to be released back into the atmosphere as CO2. Decomposition needs oxygen to occur, so the process happens much quicker releasing more CO2 when the soil is ploughed.

Question 11

Changes in Anaerobic Respiration - Increases

Answer 11

-Livestock
-Rice Paddy Fields
-Landfill sites

Question 12

Changes in Anaerobic Respiration - Decreases

Answer 12

-Drainage of waterlogged fields
-Drainage of marshlands
-Drainage of peatbogs

Question 13

Changes in Aerobic Respiration - Grazing

Answer 13

Overgrazing of land releases CO2, moving animals around.