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Flashcards in carbon cycle Deck (17)
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1
Q

carbon is..

A
  • found in all life forms

- basic chemical element needed for plants and animals survival

2
Q

what is the recent concern about carbon

A

increased carbon being released is causing climate change

3
Q

five forms of carbon

A
  • CaCO3 (calcium carbonate)
  • CH4 (methane)
  • CO2 (carbon dioxide)
  • hydrocarbons
  • bio-molecules (eg:oils/fats in living things)
4
Q

primary source of carbon

A

the Earth’s interior

5
Q

anthropogenic CO2

A

co2 created by humans

6
Q

greenhouse gas

A

any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere

7
Q

difference between organic and inorganic carbon

A

Inorganic carbon is carbon extracted from ores and minerals (e.g. carbon dioxide) as opposed to organic carbon found in nature through plants and living things

8
Q

how carbon is stored in biosphere

A
  • 20% tropical forest (Amazon)
  • boreal forests
  • agriculture
  • wetlands
  • desert
  • grasslands
9
Q

carbon sink

A

a store of carbon that absorbs more than it releases

10
Q

carbon source

A

a store of carbon that releases more than it absorbs

11
Q

how carbon is stored in the lithosphere

A
  • inorganic: fossil fuels: oil, coal, gas, limestone

- organic: litter, organic matter, humid substances

12
Q

how carbon is stored in the hydrosphere

A
  • when organisms die their dead cells sink into deep water, decay releases this carbon dioxide into the water
  • matter that reaches the bottom will form layers of carbon rich sediment which over time will trap carbon
13
Q

how carbon is stored in atmosphere

A
  • CO2 is released from natural events such as volcanic eruptions or wildfire. And by humans burning fossil fuels
14
Q

what type of system is the carbon cycle

A

closed: inputs and outputs of energy but the amount of carbon stays the same

15
Q

fluxes

A

measurements of the rate of flow of material between stores

16
Q

how much of anthropogenic carbon release is absorbed by oceans and plants?

A

oceans - 24%

plants - 26%

17
Q

90% of anthropogenic carbon releases comes from…

A

burning fossil fuels