carbon cycle

• what is carbon


  an element with a simple atomic structure that has the ability to bond with other atoms of carbon and also other elements to create complex molecules which are the basis of all matter
• what chemical reaction is carbon necessary for

  photosynthesis
• what are some examples of typical things that contain carbon


  • air
  • limestone
  • plants
  • magma
  • trees
  • animals
• what is carbon downwelling


  the downward transfer of surface water and carbon to the deep ocean
• why is downwelling good for us as humans


  • it sinks carbon, not allowing it to release into the atmosphere, reducing climate change
  • upwelling does the opposite and therefore increases the rate of global warming
• where has the most downwelling


  cooler regions with denser water where carbon sinks faster (the poles)
• effect of temperature on downwelling

  warmer temperatures will decrease the amount of downwelling in the oceans, increasing the amount of upwelling and therefore more carbon release into the atmosphere
• what is biological carbon sequestration


  the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in other stores
• where can most plankton be found


  in the arctic , coastal areas and in the northern hemisphere
• what are the main stores of carbon


  • lithosphere
  • oceans
  • biomass
  • atmosphere
• what is the largest store of carbon


  lithosphere
• what is the smallest store of carbon


  atmosphere
• what happens in areas of upwelling


  the carbon is moving upwards towards the atmosphere, as temperatures are higher, and therefore the water is less dense
• what happens in areas of downwelling

  carbon is moving down towards the ocean floor towards the cooler regions, this is because the water is more dense due to lower temperatures
• where are the higher concentration of carbon


  in the northern hemisphere, and some of the southern hemisphere
• where is there the least carbon

  at the equator and in the poles