Carbon cycle and Global warming

Question 1

Outline how carbon is cycles in the spheres:
* photosynthesis
* cellular respiration
* decomposition
* deforestation
* Fire/volcanoes

Answer 1

-Carbon is released into the atmosphere by cellular respiration, fossil fuel emissions, decomposition, deforestation, fire/volcanoes
- Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis.

Question 2

Define the term Carbon Sink and list five of them

Answer 2

Carbon sinks are systems that absorb more carbon than they release, helping to remove Co2 from the atmosphere.
- forests
- Oceans
- Fossil fuels
- Rocks
- Organic matter in soil.

Question 3

Define the term global warming

Answer 3

Is the increase in the average surface temperature of the earth, caused by the greenhouse effect.

Question 4

List the main greenhouse gases.

Answer 4

• Carbon dioxide
• Water vapour
• Methane
• Nitrous oxide
• Ozone.

Question 5

Explain why the greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth.

Answer 5

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomena that is critical for life on Earth.
Solar energy from the Sun passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and warms its surface.
Some heat is trapped by gases in the atmosphere and some is radiated back into space.

Question 6

Explain the impact the enhanced greenhouse effect is having on the Earth.

Answer 6

The enhanced greenhouse effect is an increased level of global warming caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trapping more heat energy.

Question 7

Outline how human activity is increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Answer 7

• Burning fossil fuels (CO2)
• Deforestation of forests (CO2)
• Farming of livestock (CH4)
• Landfill & waste treatment (CH4)

Question 8

Describe how melting sea ice is evidence of global warming.

Answer 8

Oceans are carbon sinks.
Oceans absorb 90% of the solar energy from the sun.
Warmer the oceans get, harder it is to absorb heat energy and it is reflected into the atmosphere.
Warmer water causes the ice to melt and this water absorbs more solar energy.

Question 9

Describe how melting permafrost is evidence of global warming.

Answer 9

Permafrost is permanently frozen ground that stores carbon from plant material frozen during the last Ice Age.
⅔ of the Earth’s permafrost is predicted to be melted by 2200.
Vast amounts of carbon will be released if it melts.

Question 10

Describe how rising sea levels are evidence of global warming.

Answer 10

Over the last 100 years the sea levels have risen as a result of enhanced global warming.

Question 11

Describe how extreme weather events are evidence of global warming.

Answer 11

Weather events such as storms with high wind and rainfall, intense cyclones and droughts can be contributed to enhanced global warming.

Question 12

Describe how loss of biodiversity is evidence of global warming.

Answer 12

Since the 1980’s, climate change has effected the distribution and number of species.
Habitats and species effected include:
- Arctic circle – polar bears
- Antarctica – emperor penguins
- Coral reefs - coral