The carbon cycle and energy security

• What is the natural carbon cycle?

  The movement and storage of carbon
• What are the three forms of carbon in the Carbon Cycle?

  Inorganic, Organic, Gaseous
• Where is inorganic carbon found?

  In rocks as bicarbonates and carbonates
• What is a carbon sink?

  A store that takes in more carbon than it emits
• What is an example of a carbon source?

  A damaged tropical rainforest
• What is carbon sequestration?

  The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to other stores
• What are the main carbon stores in order of magnitude?

  1. Marine Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
  2. Oceans
  3. Fossil Fuel Deposits
  4. Soil Organic Matter
  5. Atmosphere
  6. Terrestrial Plants

  
• How much carbon do marine sediments and sedimentary rocks store?

  66,000 - 100,000 million billion metric tons
• Why are oceans considered a dynamic carbon store?

  They constantly utilize and exchange carbon

  
• How much carbon is stored in fossil fuel deposits?

  4,000 billion metric tons
• What affects soil organic matter as a carbon store?

  Deforestation, agriculture, and land use change
• How much carbon is stored in the atmosphere?

  750 billion metric tons
• What is the impact of human activity on atmospheric CO2 levels?

  Increased by around 40% since the industrial revolution
• How do biological and chemical processes affect carbon storage?

  They determine how much carbon is stored and released
• What is the process of photosynthesis?

  Plants convert CO2 and water into oxygen and glucose
• What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

  Carbon Dioxide + Water → Oxygen + Glucose
• What occurs during respiration?

  Plants and animals convert oxygen and glucose into energy
• What are the waste products of respiration?

  Water and CO2
• How do plants behave during the day and night regarding CO2?

  Absorb more CO2 during the day than they emit
• What happens during combustion?

  Fossil fuels emit CO2 when burnt
• What role do decomposers play in the carbon cycle?

  They break down dead organisms and return CO2
• How much has ocean acidity increased since pre-industrial times?

  By 30%
• What is the effect of increased CO2 levels on ocean acidity?

  It causes oceans to become more acidic
• What is sedimentation in the carbon cycle?

  Compaction of organic matter into fossil fuels
• How does weathering release inorganic carbon?

  Through erosion and carbonation weathering
• What happens during metamorphosis in the carbon cycle?

  Some carbon is released and some is trapped
• What is volcanic outgassing?

  Release of CO2 from Earth's crust during eruptions
• How quickly can the carbon cycle be completed?

  In seconds during photosynthesis
• What happens to dead organic material in soil?

  It can hold carbon for hundreds of years
• What is ocean sequestration?

  The transfer of CO2 into the sea
• How do oceanic layers affect carbon storage?

  Processes occur mainly in the surface layer
• What is the biological carbon pump?

  Phytoplankton photosynthesize and sequester carbon
• What happens to carbon when phytoplankton die?

  Some shells dissolve and become part of ocean currents
• How does CO2 react with ocean water?

  It forms carbonic acid
• What is the physical pump in the ocean?

  Ocean circulation provides new water and stores carbon

  
• What is thermohaline circulation?

  An ocean current producing vertical and horizontal circulation
• How does temperature affect CO2 absorption in oceans?

  Colder water absorbs more CO2
• How long does it take for water to travel the thermohaline circulation system?

  Around 1000 years
• What is the role of cold water in thermohaline circulation?

  It sinks due to higher density
• What happens to warm surface waters in thermohaline circulation?

  They are drawn down as cold water sinks