Carbon Cycle Pack C Flashcards
How does photosynthesis in the carbon cycle vary over space and time?
Spatially:
- Marine and terrestrial
- More in vegetated areas (e.g. TRF)
- Limited in tundra
- Grasslands in between
Temporally:
- Happens during the day
- Most happens in summer due to more daylight hours
- Varys seasonally in the grasslands and tundra
- No variation in TRF
How is acid rain a part of the carbon cycle?
- CO2 dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid
- CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3
- Acidification of oceans
- Marine organisms can’t form calcium carbonate to make shells
How does acid rain in the carbon cycle vary over space and time?
Spatially:
- More in industrial areas with more burning of fossil fuels (e.g. India, China)
Temporally:
- Since the Industrial Revolution
How is respiration a part of the carbon cycle?
Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
How does respiration in the carbon cycle vary over time and space?
Spatially:
- More where there are more plants and animals
Temporally:
- All day
How is chemical weathering a part of the carbon cycle?
- Breakdown of rocks in situ
- Carbonic acid dissolves rock like limestone and chalk
How does chemical weathering in the carbon cycle vary over time and space?
Spatially:
- More in locations with limestone and chalk
- More in areas with wet climate
Temporally:
- More during rainy seasons
How is biological weathering a part of the carbon cycle?
- Rocks are broken by tree roots or burrowing animals
- Weathered rock is moved
How does biological weathering in the carbon cycle vary over time and space?
Spatially:
- More in areas with lots of vegetation and animals
- Limited in glaciated areas
How is decomposition a part of the carbon cycle?
- Fungi and bacteria break down organic matter
- Release CO2 by respiration
- Some carbon will make new soil
How does decomposition in the carbon cycle vary over time and space?
Spatially:
- In TRFs all year round
- None in tundra when all ground is permafrost
Temporally:
- More in autumn (warm + wet conditions)
How is fossil fuel combustion a part of the carbon cycle?
- Due to human activities
- Burning coal, oil and natural gas
- Releases CO2 (10 gigatons are released each year)
How does fossil fuel combustion in the carbon cycle vary over time and space?
Spatially:
- More in industrial countries (e.g. India, China)
Temporally:
- More since the Industrial Revolution (1750s)
How is vegetation combustion a part of the carbon cycle?
- Can occur naturally (e.g. lighting strike causing a forest fire)
- Can be due to human activity (e.g. actively burning grasslands forests to clear them)
- Grasslands can regrow due to root system
What is the positive feedback cycle associated with forest fires?
- Increased temperatures
- Drier conditions
- Forest fires
- Increased CO2
How does vegetation combustion in the carbon cycle vary over time and space?
Spatially:
- More in grasslands
- Less naturally in the TRF
- Humans burning the rainforest
Temporally:
- More in summer months
