Carbon Cycle: Movement of Carbon Between Stores

Flashcards covering the movement of carbon between stores, the effects of the changing carbon budget, and related terminology.

Carbon Sink

Stores that take in more carbon than they release.

Carbon Store

Stores that release more carbon than they take in.

Rock Cycle

The breakdown of rock through processes like weathering.

Subduction

Occurs at plate boundaries where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another into the mantle.

Limestone

Sedimentary rock formed from carbon dioxide and water reacting to form carbonic acid, which then reacts to form calcium carbonate.

Photosynthesis

The process plants use to make food (glucose) from carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, releasing oxygen.

Respiration

The process by which plants and animals release energy from carbohydrates, consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide, water, and energy.

Decomposition

The breakdown of dead plants and animals by decomposers (like worms) to form more stable forms of carbon that are put back into the soil.

Oceanic Carbon Pumps

The process of transferring carbon through oceanic circulation, where warm surface currents cool at the poles, sink, and transport carbon to deeper, colder currents.

Combustion

Releases stored carbon in the form of carbon dioxide from organic material when it is burned, also releasing water and energy.

Hydrocarbon Extraction

Extracting fossil fuels from stores deep within the lithosphere and using them for combustion, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere.

Carbon Sequestration

Capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and putting it into long-term storage to prevent it from reaching the atmosphere and causing damaging effects.

Geological Sequestration

Storing captured carbon dioxide deep within rocks.

Terrestrial Sequestration

Storing captured carbon dioxide within trees and plants.

Sea Level Rise

Occurs because of the melting of sea ice, as well as other factors which are causing sea levels to rise

Thermal Expansion

Warming of the water, and water expands when it's heated

Ocean Acidification

The removal of carbonate ions from the oceans, making the oceans more acidic.

Radiative Forcing

The balance of solar radiation coming into and heating the Earth and its atmosphere.