ESS Standard Topic 2.3

Geo Chemical Systems

Carbon Stores

When carbon is kept in a space/organism for a long period of time

Carbon Source

They add and produce carbon

Carbon Sink

They take carbon from the atmosphere

What is the largest Carbon sink and Why?

The Ocean.

The Marine Carbon Cycle

• The concentration of CO2 goes down as more CO2 is absorbed due to ( CO2 + H20 - Carbonic Acid). This makes the oceans more acidic and it will never get full

Residence Time

Used to measure the average time that an atom and carbon remains locked in a store between transformations.

What are examples of some Residence times.

Limestone (and other sedimentary rock) - 400 million years

Carbon - 5-10 years

Biomass - 15-50 years

Ocean - 350 years

Fossil Fuels - Unlimited (Don’t natural break down)

Steady State Systems

Where under natural conditions , the rate of transformations in and out of carbon stores should be equal.

What happens when Humans reduce Residency times for carbon?

They reduce the size of stores faster than they can build them back up leading to an increase in CO2 In the atmosphere.

Selective Woodland/Logging Management

Only cutting down old/dying trees for economic value.

What are the dangers of Ocean Acidification

It damages Corals and Shellfish as they are unable to absorb the access Carbonic acid and instead get attacked by it.

This happens closer to the shores and corals are typically found in shallow water so they are often in danger.

Carbon Sequestration

Used to describe any process that removes CO2 from the atmosphere and Stores it away

What is an example of Carbon Sequestration

Carbon Capture (Technological) and Storage

• (Pumping it Underground) Turning Carbon into graphene rather than Plastic

Afforestation

What are Low Carbon Solutions to high Carbon emissions

• Wind

• EV use

• Solar

• Hydroelectricity

• Heat Pumps (80-90% efficient)