Biogeochemical Cycles

Question 1

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 1

A balance of processes in a system that cancel eachother out causing no change

Question 2

What is the main processes of the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

• Photosynthesis
• respiration which returns the carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
• aerobic respiration which breaks down organic compounds more completely and releases more energy than anaerobic
• anaerobic respiration which returns carbon to the atmosphere as methane
• food webs
• fossilisation
• natural combustion

Question 3

What is homeostasis?

Answer 3

The state of balance during dynamic equilibrium

Question 4

Processes in the carbon cycle that are affected by human activities

Answer 4

• Photosynthesis - deforestation / afforestation
• Aerobic respiration - ploughing increases aerobic decomposition of organic matter
• Anaerobic respiration - reduced by wetland drainage / increased by rice padis, landfill, ruminant livestock
• Combustion - fossil fuels/biomass increase co2
  CO2 dis/exsolving from sea - increased c in atmosphere causes more co2 to dissolve in sea
• CCS - co2 stored in geological structures/ storing more carbon in peat bogs