Lesson 1 - Biogeochemical Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What is a flux?

Answer 1

Rate of exchange between reservoirs

Question 2

What is longwave radiation?

Answer 2

Radiation returning from the Earth in the form of infrared or heat

Question 3

What is a carbon sink?

Answer 3

Reservoir that takes in + sequesters more carbon than it releases

Question 4

What is the thermohaline circulation?

Answer 4

Flow of ocean water caused by changes in density

Question 5

What is shortwave radiation?

Answer 5

Solar radiation in the form of ultraviolet + visible light

Question 6

What is carbon fixation?

Answer 6

Incorporation of carbon into organic compounds by living organisms
E.g., Photosynthesis, green plants

Question 7

What is a carbon pool?

Answer 7

System with capacity to store or release carbon

Question 8

What are the 4 spheres in which carbon is found?

Answer 8

Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Biosphere

Question 9

What is a process?

Answer 9

Physical mechanism which drives a flux between stores

Question 10

What is the most significant carbon store?

Answer 10

Sedimentary rock store
83m PgC

Question 11

What is the most significant carbon flux?

Answer 11

Photosynthesis
123 PgC/yr

Question 12

Describe the relative importance of terrestrial, atmospheric and ocean stores

Answer 12

Terrestrial > Ocean > Atmospheric
Rate of release is reverse

Question 13

Describe the relative importance of terrestrial, atmospheric and ocean fluxes

Answer 13

Atmospheric most significant
Atmosphere —> Earth
Ocean least significant

Question 14

Why are geological stores so vital to the carbon cycle?

Answer 14

Largest volume
Moderate global carbon levels
Prevent growth of other stores