humans altering carbon cycle

• carbon dioxide and methane are examples of greenhouse gases. carbon dioxide is released from plants and animals during respiration and methane is released naturally and from cows burps
• increased concentration of greenhouse gases means more radiation is absorbed, trapping the heat closer to earth - increasing temperature of the earth = greenhouse effect
• greenhouse effect is important because without it the earth would be very cold and stuck in the Ice Age
• the greenhouse effect has caused global temperatures and precipitation to increase due to factors like solar insulation. precipitation is increasing in the Americas but reducing in Africa
• photosynthesis is important in regulating carbon levels in the atmosphere as organisms absorb sunlight and use it as energy to convert carbon dioxide
• oceans photosynthesis is regulated by phytoplankton, and thrive in shallow, nutrient rich cold water
• terrestrial photosynthesis is regulated by plants and thrives in dense vegetation like tropical rainforests
• soil health is its ability to sustain plant and animal life effectively
• organic matter influences soil health and its ability to provide for organisms and plant life because organic matter holds a lot of carbon, increasing soil fertility and moisture storage, allowing water to infiltrate into roots of plants
• fossil fuel combustion has increased due to the increase in population and the increase in industrialisation (Industrial Revolution in UK in 18th century)
• fossil fuels contain high amounts of carbon and when they combust chemical bonds releases heat energy, meaning concentrations of greenhouse gases rise at a faster rate to carbon sequestration adding to enhanced greenhouse effect
• increased greenhouse gases leads to global warming which leads to implications for:

  • climate - wet areas get wetter, dry areas get drier
  • hydrological system
  • ecosystems - ocean acidification