carbon - where it is found Flashcards
what is carbon?
an element
very versatile
found in many compounds
it is found in organic and inorganic stores, what does this mean?
organic - living things
inorganic - rocks, gases
what % of carbon is found in the lithosphere ?
99.9% in sedimentary rocks
what % of carbon is stored in fossil fuels in the lithosphere?
0.004%
what is the second largest carbon store?
the oceans
what % of carbon is stored in the oceans?
0.04%
what organic stores of carbon are in the lithosphere?
litter, organic material in soil
why is carbon found at the surface of the ocean?
this is where it can be exchanged into the atmosphere
how does carbon reach deep underwater?
organisms in the sea die
decay releases carbon dioxide into the water
some material will sink right to the bottom
forming carbon rich sediment
over years it will be compressed and turn into rocks where it can lock it up for years
what % of carbon is stored in the atmosphere?
0.001%
what forms does carbon take in the atmosphere?
carbon dioxide and methane
what % of carbon is in the biosphere?
0.004%
what % of carbon is stored in the cryosphere?
0.01%
where is the cryosphere is most of the carbon stored and why?
in areas of permafrost
plants and animals that have decayed have frozen into the ground
what are the main stores of carbon in the biosphere?
living vegetation peat plant litter soil humus animals
