Lesson 3 - Fast Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What is sequestration?

Answer 1

Movement of carbon into stores
Has effect of lowering atmospheric CO2

Question 2

What is the thermohaline circulation?

Answer 2

Global circulation of ocean currents
Moderates ocean temp. + salinity

Question 3

How do warmer waters behave?

Answer 3

Rise due to lower density

Question 4

How do colder waters behave?

Answer 4

Sink due to higher density

Question 5

How does salinity affect water?

Answer 5

Increases density

Question 6

Where does the thermohaline circulation begin?

Answer 6

Main current begins in polar oceans

Question 7

How does the thermohaline circulation begin?

Answer 7

Water cools
Sea ice forms
Surrounding waters salinate + sink

Question 8

What happens as the current passes Antarctica?

Answer 8

Recharged by extra cold, salty waters

Question 9

What happens after the current passes Antarctica?

Answer 9

Divides Northward into 2 branches
Indian Ocean
Western Pacific

Question 10

How do the 2 branches behave?

Answer 10

Travel Northwards
Warm + rise due to tropical waters
Loop back towards South/West

Question 11

What happens after the 2 branches rejoin?

Answer 11

Warm surface waters circulate globally
Eventually return to North Atlantic
Cycle restarts