geological processes

• the largest carbon flux is from oceans to atmosphere and land to atmosphere, these fluxes come from photosynthesis and respiration
• photosynthesis and respiration are examples of quick carbon fluxes as it can take minutes, whereas sequestration in sedimentary rocks is a slow carbon flux as it can take millions of years
• 2 ways carbon comes from sedimentary rocks?

  • dead organic matter from plants and animals falls to the bottom of the sea, over time the deposits are covered in silt and mud and begin to compress the lower layers - eventually turning into shale
  • calcifying marine life like corals fall to bottom of ocean and over time lithify turning into rocks e.g. limestone
• 2 geological processes that release carbon into the atmosphere are?

  • chemical weathering - atmospheric carbon reacts with water to make a weak carbonic acid, condensation causes acid rain which dissolves calcium carbonate on rocks - producing carbon ions which wash into river and get carried out to sea
  • volcanic outgassing - carbon dioxide stored in magma is released during eruptions