Carbon cycle Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are the different zones/ terriostrial systems on earth?
Lithosphere, Cryosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere
How does the atmosphere and hydrosphere interact?
Transpiration, condensation, evaporation
How does the hydrosphere interact with the lithosphere?
The ocean erodes the lithosphere , transporting materials
How does the atmosphere interact with the Lithosphere ?
Wind and weathering erode the lithosphere. E.g Volcanic eruptions
What are the main natural causes of carbon?
Respiration, decomposition, rock weathering ( rain dissolving rocks allowing Carbon to flow down water sources), photosynthesis
Milankovitch cycles, Thawing of permafrost
What are the Milankovitch cycles?
Changes of the earth’s movement of thousands of years, affecting the earth’s climate
What are the different outputs within the carbon cycle?
Respiration, Decomposition, Combustion, Volcanic activity
What are the different inputs in the Carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis, human input, weathering of rocks, volcanoes , glacial melt, sea temperature rise
What are the different stores within the carbon cycle?
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Oceans , Soils , Fossil Fuels, sedimentary rocks, vegitation.
What is Albedo?
The amount of incoming solar radiation reflected by the earth’s surface
Why does the equator have low albedo?
-Equator has low albedo as it has high vegetation and absorbs more light
- Warm air rises at the equator , cools and releases more moisture , through condensation, leading to frequent rainfall.
What is the definition of the carbon budget?
The balance between carbon that is inputed and carbon that is absorbed
What is the relationship between the water cycle and the carbon cycle ?
-Evaporation (increase CO2)
-Condensation
-Stores/ Vegetation (affected by carbon)
-Decomposition releasing carbon/ requiring water
-Photosynthesis/Green house gases/plant growth
Outline the process of decomposition in the carbon cycle
Decomposition is the decay of the organic matter, by decomposers( worms , fungi and bacteria. Releases CO2 from biosphere to atmosphere. The rate of decomposition is reliant on temperature and water
Explain how farming affects the carbon budget
Deforestation/ emissions (e.g cattle/ the Amazon)
=> Increased global temperatures/wildfires
Soil erosion/ loss minerals affecting vegetation growth
Explain the concept of a negative feedback loop in the carbon cycle?
Definition of CO2
Increased CO2 leads to increased Photosynthesis, returning back to dynamic equilibrium
What is an interglacial period?
An interglacial period is a warm phase between ice ages when glaciers retreat, and global temperatures rise.
What is slash and burn?
a farming practice where vegetation is cut down and burned to clear land for cultivation
How does temperature effect decomposition?
Warmer temperatures leads to higher rate of decomposition as decomposition is heavily dependant on decomposition
