Carbon

Question 1

Define the natural carbon cycle?

Answer 1

The natural carbo cycle is the movement and storage of carbon between the land, ocean and atmosphere.

Question 2

what are the three forms of carbon in the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

1) inorganic
2) organic
3) gaseous

Question 3

where is inorganic carbon found?

Answer 3

inorganic carbon is found in rocks as bicarbonates and carbontes

Question 4

where is organic carbon found?

Answer 4

organic carbon is found in plants and living organisms

Question 5

where is gaseous carbon found?

Answer 5

found as co2 and ch4 (methane)

Question 6

When is there not a balance between production and absorption (or sources and sinks) of carbon in the natural carbon cycle?

Answer 6

After a volcanic eruption

Question 7

What are the 3 carbon stores?

Answer 7

terrestrial, oceanic and atmospheric

Question 8

Define a flux?

Answer 8

the movement of carbon between stores

Question 9

Define a carbon sink?

Answer 9

Any store that takes in more carbon than it emits. (tropical rainforest)

Question 10

Define a carbon source?

Answer 10

Any store that emits more carbon than it stores. (damaged tropical rainforest)

Question 11

How is carbon present in the atmosphere?

Answer 11

present as co2 and ch4 (methane)

Question 12

How is carbon present in the hydrosphere?

Answer 12

present as dissolved co2

Question 13

How is carbon present in the lithosphere?

Answer 13

present as carbonates in limestone and fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil

Question 14

How is carbon present in the biosphere?

Answer 14

present in living and dead organisms

Question 15

Define carbon sequestration?

Answer 15

The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to other stores, This can be natural or artificial.

Question 16

What are the main carbon stores?

Answer 16

1) Marine sediments and sedimentary rocks - lithosphere
2) Oceans - hydrosphere
3) Fossil fuel deposits - lithosphere
4) Soil organic matter lithosphere
5) Atmosphere - dynamic
6) Terrestrial plants - biosphere

Question 17

What is the main carbon store?

Answer 17

Lithosphere is the main carbon store, with global stores unevenly distributed.

Question 18

What processes determine how much carbon is stored and released?

Answer 18

Biological and chemical processes

Question 19

Define acidification?

Answer 19

​The gradual reduction of pH of the oceans, due to dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Question 20

Define Afforestation?

Answer 20

​Planting trees and vegetation in the aim of increasing forest cover.

Question 21

Define Biofuel?

Answer 21

​Burning crops and vegetation for electricity and heat.

Question 22

Define carbon capture & storage (ccs) ?

Answer 22

The capture of carbon dioxide emissions directly from the factory, pumped into disused mines rather than being released into the atmosphere.

Question 23

Define carbon neutral ?

Answer 23

A process that has no net addition of carbon dioxide to the environment.

Question 24

Define choke points?

Answer 24

Points in the logistics of energy and fuel that are prone to restriction.

Question 25

Define combustion?

Answer 25

The process of burning a substance, in the presence of oxygen, to release energy.

Question 26

Define decomposition?

Answer 26

The break down of matter, often by a decomposer which releases carbon dioxide through their own respiration.

Question 27

Define the energy mix?

Answer 27

The composition of a country’s energy sources.

Question 28

Define Energy Security​?

Answer 28

The ownership and full control of a country’s energy source, production and transportation.

Question 29

Define Energy Pathway​?

Answer 29

The movement of energy from its extraction or source, through pipes, freight logistics or cabling.

Question 30

Define Energy Players​?

Answer 30

Key companies and individuals who own, distribute and sell energy and energy sources.

Question 31

Define the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect?​

Answer 31

The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, reducing the amount of solar radiation reflected into space.

Question 32

Define Non-Renewable​ Energy?

Answer 32

A source of energy that can only be used once to generate electricity or takes thousands of years to replace e.g. Fossil Fuels.

Question 33

Define nuclear fusion?

Answer 33

The process of joining atomic nuclei together, to produce energy.

Question 34

Define OPEC?

Answer 34

Oil and Petroleum exporting countries. An organisation that supports and coordinates fossil fuel exporting countries.

Question 35

Define outgassing?

Answer 35

The release of dissolved carbon dioxide (e.g. at plate boundaries, warming the oceans).

Question 36

What is phytoplankton?

Answer 36

Small organisms that rely on photosynthesis to survive, so intake carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.