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Carbon Flashcards

(69 cards)

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1
Q

key processes in the fast cycle

A

photosynthesis
respiration
digestion

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2
Q

name the key 5 stages of the slow carbon cycle

A
  1. transfer of carbon into the oceans
  2. the decomposition of carbon compounds on the ocean floor
  3. the conversion of sediments into carbon-rich rock
  4. the transfer of carbon rocks to tectonic margins
  5. the return of carbon compounds to the atmosphere in volcanic eruptions
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3
Q

largest store of carbon

A

earths crust

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4
Q

processes in the fast cycle

A

photosynthesis, decomposition, respiration

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5
Q

processes in the slow/geological cycle and how do they work

A

chemical weathering= weak carbonic acid falls as rain, easily breaking down limestone
volcanic outgassing= limestone rocks melt in the lithosphere, which would then be released during an eruption
lithification= shells and sediment containing carbon collect at the bottom of the ocean, then compacted to form organic limestone rock

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6
Q

how does coal form

A

formed from the compaction of partially decomposed matter

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7
Q

how does oil form

A

formed from bodies of plankton

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8
Q

how does natural gas form

A

produced from the formation of oil

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9
Q

what are the 3 ocean pumps

A

biological
carbonate
physical

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10
Q

explain the biological pump

A

The ocean’s surface layer contains tiny phytoplankton, sequester carbon dioxide through photosynthesis – creating calcium carbonate
When they die, these organisms sink to the ocean floor and accumulate as sediment

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11
Q

explain the carbonate pump

A

co2 dissolves into the ocean, creating carbonic acid, so becomes a bicarbonate ion which becomes carbon

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12
Q

explain the physical pump

A

co2 dissolve into water then exsolves back into the atmosphere caused by deep ocean currents

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13
Q

what is the importance of soils as a carbon stores

A

soil organic carbon- contains lots of carbon, more then what is in the atmosphere

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14
Q

role of terrestrial primary producers

A

sequester carbon during photosynthesis, some of this carbon is returned into the atmosphere during respiration

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15
Q

define anthropogenic

A

anything influenced by humans

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16
Q

why is permafrost important

A

stores carbon in water frozen in the frozen form, stopping oxygen from reaching the carbon

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17
Q

what is the enhanced greenhouse effect

A

increasing levels of co2 means increasing the amount of heat retained causing the earth to heat up

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18
Q

why does co2 rise after the 1850s

A

the exponential increase is due to humans beginning to burn fossil fuels, soil degradation, deforestation and agriculture

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19
Q

what is arctic amplification

A

ice usually reflects sunlight, however as ice melts the dark blue ocean is revealed and absorbs lots of sunlight leading to further warming

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20
Q

what does a balanced ecosystem mean

A

there will be regular seasons

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21
Q

what is the IPCC

A

provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change

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22
Q

what is the anthropocene

A

climate change pushing the world deeper into a new age

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23
Q

how will south africa be affected by the 1.5 increase

A

temps will rise significantly faster than elsewhere, dryer conditions will impact on livestock and yeilds

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24
Q

list some avoided impacts if we keep temps to 1.5

A

70% more sea ice lost from 10% to 80% of current total

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25
what is energy security
having reliable, affordable and easy access to a natural resource for the purpose of energy consumption
26
is the UK energy secure
demands are met, but it is not sustainable reliant on imports and fossil fuels susceptible to global prices
27
what is the focus of the UK's new energy strategy
give out new licenses in the north sea invest more in nuclear power off shore wind power
28
what are the trends in the global energy demand
global energy demand and consumption are increasing fossil fuels are very much the norm
29
what are the trends in carbon dioxide emissions
some countries have had a more significant increase than other with overall emissions increasing
30
how can energy consumption be measured
per capita gross energy intensity tonnes of oils equivalent
31
what factors influence the amount of energy consumed in a place
technology development public perception accessibility of energy
32
factors affecting the energy mix of a country
cost technology physical availability political considerations
33
example of how physical availability influences a country's energy mix
discovery of oil in the North sea in the 1970s meant a huge increase in use by the UK
34
example of how cost influences a country's energy mix
the north sea became a secure alternative to dependency on the middle eastern oil after prices rose in the 1970s
35
example of how technology influences a country's energy mix
Deepwater drilling technology enabled both Norway and the UK to develop north sea extraction
36
example of how political considerations influences a country's energy mix
the Norwegian government prevents foreign companies from owning any primary energy source sites
37
who are the key players in energy
TNCs national governments environmental groups scientists
38
how can pathways be disrupted
political conflicts choke points natural disasters changes to supply
39
what are the unconventional oils
fracking deep sea oil extraction tar sands
40
pros and cons of fracking
pros- can increase a countrys energy security cons- can lead to the contamination of ground water
41
pros and cons of deep sea oil extraction
pros- increase oil security cons- coastline can be disfigured as well as pollution concerns
42
pros and cons of tar sand
pros- can increase a countrys oil output cons- affected by the global price of oil
43
examples of renewable and recyclable energy
nuclear power wind power solar power hydro power
44
strengths and weaknesses of bio-fuels
strengths- easy and relatively cheap to produce weaknesses- farming is displaced so they then cut down trees to make room = increased deforestation
45
opportunities and threats of bio-fuels
opp- new technology and efficiency, improved rural infrastructure thr- takes investment away from food production
46
example of geopolitical conflicts over energy pathways
2 proposed pipelines Qatar: can't capitalize on natural gas their natural gas, backed by Saudi, USA and turkey Iran: via 2 countries, backed by Syrian gov and Russia
47
impacts of land-use changing due to growing population
greater demand for meat, deforestation for more farmland, releases CO2, reduced evapotranspiration and increased soil erosion
48
impacts of the ocean absorbing more carbon
water and carbon create carbonic acid, which has the ability to dissolve coral reefs. ocean acidity increased by 26% since 19th century
49
what changes are affecting coral reefs
rising sea levels warmer water
50
what does higher acidity mean for oceans
affect the ability of marine organisms to build shells
51
impacts of climate change
changes to photosynthesis and carbon storage as forests turn to savannahs some regions will become perminately drier
52
implications of forest loss for people
displacement loss of biodiversity pollution of water loss of raw materials
53
affects of higher temperatures
increased water vapor has implications for everywhere, heavy rainfall snowmelt is only important in some places, same with river flow and communities thawing of permafrost can affect global levels of CO2
54
trend of global forest cover
in some developed countries cover is increasing, which goes against the global picture. (kuznets curve)
55
how do humans interact with healthy oceans
carbon sink jobs with the ocean are estimated worth £2.5 tril over 80% oceans are unexplored
56
how do human factors make climate warming uncertain
Government decisions Conflict Population growth Technology
57
how do physical factors make climate warming uncertain
Residency times Feedback mechanisms Tipping points- permafrost, peatland, albedo Other systems- thermohaline circulation
58
adaptation techniques for a changed climate
water management resilient agriculture land-use planning flood-risk management
59
mitigation techniques for a changed climate
carbon tax renewable energy efficiency afforestation carbon capture and storage
60
pros of adaptation techniques for a changed climate
may help CO2 sequestration help local communities
61
cons of adaptation techniques for a changed climate
needs enforcement by governments land owners may demand compensation
62
pros of mitigation techniques for a changed climate
environmental benefits reduce emissions economic in long-term
63
cons of mitigation techniques for a changed climate
provide intermittent supply needs upfront investment long-term is uncertain
64
example of chokepoints
Ukraine is considered a chokepoint in the EU's supply of oil. there is increasing uncertainty in relations with Russia, so could become increasingly insecure
65
effect of clearing grassland is the US
initial removal releases CO2 natural habitats are reduced soils are liable to erosion
66
how have tar sands impact Canada
produces 40% of Canada's oil output, however they are vulnerable to the global price of oil and enviro costs
67
how many countries are emitting 59% of all emissions
5
68
how much could the global cost be to cities due to rising sea levels and inward flooding
1 trillion by mid-century
69
how many tourists visit the great barrier reef anually
1.9 million

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