Biogeochemical Cycles - Carbon Cycle Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to the carbon cycle.

Respiration

Living organisms exchange gases and release carbon dioxide (CO2).

Decomposition

Break down of dead organic matter.

Combustion

Burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 and methane (CH4).

Photosynthesis

Plants and phytoplankton absorb CO2 to produce glucose and O2.

Ocean-atmosphere exchange

CO2 dissolves in rainwater or seawater, forming carbonic acid (H2CO3).

Deforestation

Loss of vegetation due to human activities, a major cause of increased CO2 in the atmosphere.

Methane (CH4)

A greenhouse gas produced through natural decomposition and human activities; traps heat 28 times more than CO2.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that absorb thermal radiation, warming the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere (e.g., water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone).

Ocean acidification

Increase in ocean acidity due to the absorption of excess CO2 from the atmosphere.

Climate

Average weather conditions (temperature, rainfall, etc.) over a long period of time (>30 years).

Weather

Short-term changes in the atmosphere.

Global Warming

Global temperature increases with the rise in CO2 levels in the atmosphere.