Carbon Cycle 2

Question 1

What are the transfers in the carbon cycle responsible for?

Answer 1

Driving and causing changes in the carbon cycle over time

Transfers have varying impacts over different lengths of time.

Question 2

What processes determine how much carbon is stored and released?

Answer 2

• Biological processes
• Chemical processes

These processes are crucial for maintaining the carbon cycle.

Question 3

What is the role of living organisms in the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

Maintaining the system running efficiently

Organisms play a critical role in the carbon cycle.

Question 4

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 4

The process where living organisms convert Carbon Dioxide and Water into Oxygen and Glucose using Light Energy

Photosynthesis helps sequester carbon and reduce climate change impacts.

Question 5

What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 5

Carbon Dioxide + Water → Light Energy → Oxygen + Glucose

This equation summarizes the photosynthesis process.

Question 6

What occurs during respiration?

Answer 6

Plants and animals convert Oxygen and Glucose into energy, producing Water and Carbon Dioxide as waste products

Respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis.

Question 7

What is the chemical equation for respiration?

Answer 7

Oxygen + Glucose → Carbon Dioxide + Water

This equation summarizes the respiration process.

Question 8

During the day, how do plants interact with carbon dioxide?

Answer 8

Absorb significantly more CO2 than they emit from respiration

This results in plants being net carbon dioxide absorbers.

Question 9

What happens to plants at night regarding photosynthesis and respiration?

Answer 9

They do not photosynthesize but respire, releasing more CO2 than they absorb

This leads to a net release of CO2 during the night.

Question 10

Overall, what is the net effect of plants on carbon dioxide and oxygen?

Answer 10

• Net carbon dioxide absorbers
• Net oxygen producers

Plants contribute positively to the atmosphere’s balance.

Question 11

What is combustion in relation to fossil fuels?

Answer 11

The burning of fossil fuels and organic matter emits CO2 into the atmosphere

This occurs when fossil fuels are burnt for energy or during wildfires.

Question 12

What role do decomposers play in the carbon cycle?

Answer 12

They break down dead organisms, returning CO2 to the atmosphere

Some organic matter is also returned to the soil, adding carbon matter.

Question 13

What is the effect of diffusion on ocean acidity?

Answer 13

The oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, increasing acidity by 30% since pre-industrial times

Increased acidity harms aquatic life and threatens coral reefs.

Question 14

What happens during sedimentation in the carbon cycle?

Answer 14

Organic matter is compacted over time to form fossil fuel deposits or limestone

This can occur on land or in the sea.

Question 15

How does weathering and erosion release inorganic carbon?

Answer 15

Through the erosion of rocks or carbonation weathering

Carbon dioxide mixes with rainwater to create carbonic acid, aiding rock erosion.

Question 16

True or false: Carbonation weathering occurs when CO2 mixes with rainwater.

Answer 16

TRUE

This process aids in the erosion of rocks such as limestone.

Question 17

What is the impact of increasing CO2 levels on weathering and erosion?

Answer 17

It may increase weathering and erosion, affecting other parts of the carbon cycle

This can lead to more carbon being moved through the water cycle.

Question 18

What forms metamorphic rock?

Answer 18

• Extreme heat
• Pressure

During metamorphosis, some carbon is released while some becomes trapped.

Question 19

What is volcanic outgassing?

Answer 19

Release of CO₂ from pockets in the Earth’s crust during eruptions or fissures

This process can occur during volcanic eruptions.

Question 20

What is the quickest cycle of carbon fluxes?

Answer 20

Completed in seconds as plants absorb carbon for photosynthesis and release it during respiration

This cycle can slow down with reduced light or CO₂ levels.

Question 21

How long can dead organic material in soil hold carbon?

Answer 21

Hundreds of years

Some organic materials may become buried deeply and not decay.

Question 22

What geological processes can occur with buried organic materials?

Answer 22

• Become sedimentary rocks
• Form hydrocarbons

This occurs under conditions unfavorable to decayers.

Question 23

What is the largest carbon sink on Earth?

Answer 23

Oceans

Oceans store 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere.

Question 24

What is the process called that transfers CO2 into the sea?

Answer 24

Ocean sequestration

This process involves various simultaneous actions within the ocean to store large amounts of CO2.

Question 25

Small changes in oceanic carbon levels can have significant _______.

Answer 25

global impacts ## Footnote The CO2 gas exchange between the atmosphere and ocean operates on different timescales.

Question 26

What are the **different layers** of the ocean mentioned?

Answer 26

* Epipelagic Zone (The Sunlight Zone) * Mesopelagic Zone (The Twilight Zone) * Bathypelagic Zone (The Midnight Zone) * Abyssopelagic Zone (The Abyss) * Hadalpelagic Zone (The Trenches) ## Footnote The majority of processes that take CO2 out of the atmosphere occur in the top layers of the ocean.

Question 27

The carbon-rich water in the surface layer is transferred down into the lower layers of the ocean due to _______.

Answer 27

thermohaline circulation ## Footnote This circulation allows large amounts of carbon to be stored in the sea.

Question 28

The **Epipelagic Zone** is also known as the _______.

Answer 28

Sunlight Zone ## Footnote This zone is where most photosynthesis occurs, supporting marine life.

Question 29

The **Bathypelagic Zone** is also referred to as the _______.

Answer 29

Midnight Zone ## Footnote This zone is characterized by darkness and is located below the Epipelagic Zone.

Question 30

What is the depth range of the **Abyssopelagic Zone**?

Answer 30

4,000 m to 6,000 m ## Footnote This zone is known for its extreme conditions and lack of light.

Question 31

True or false: The majority of carbon processes occur in the **top 2,000 m** of the ocean.

Answer 31

TRUE ## Footnote This surface layer makes up only a small proportion of the water in the world's ocean.