1.4 The Carbon Cycle

0.0(0)
Studied by 0 people
call kaiCall Kai
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
GameKnowt Play
Card Sorting

1/3

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no tags are added yet.

4 Terms

1
New cards

The Carbon Cycle

  • The carbon cycle is the movement of atoms and molecules containing the element carbon between sources and sinks

  • Some cycling of carbon happens quickly… other types of cycling take millions of years

  • The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle, which is a self-regulating, naturally-occuring movement of chemical molecules through various sources and sinks (reservoirs)

  • These cycles help stabilize and regulate the flow of matter through ecosystems

  • Biogeochemical Cycles can be disturbed by human activity

  • Photosynthesis takes in carbon and puts it into the soil

  • On the other hand, microbial respiration and decomposition releases carbon into the air (soil carbon)

  • There is also fossil carbon, which is fossil fuel that is released from human emmisions


<ul><li><p>The carbon cycle is the movement of atoms and molecules containing the element carbon between sources and sinks</p></li><li><p>Some cycling of carbon happens quickly… other types of cycling take millions of years</p></li><li><p>The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle, which is a self-regulating, naturally-occuring movement of chemical molecules through various sources and sinks (reservoirs)</p></li><li><p>These cycles help stabilize and regulate the flow of matter through ecosystems</p></li><li><p>Biogeochemical Cycles can be disturbed by human activity</p></li><li><p>Photosynthesis takes in carbon and puts it into the soil</p></li><li><p>On the other hand, microbial respiration and decomposition releases carbon into the air (soil carbon)</p></li><li><p>There is also fossil carbon, which is fossil fuel that is released from human emmisions</p></li></ul><p></p>
2
New cards

Fast Carbon Cycling

  • Fast carbon cycling is largely the movement of carbon compounds through the biosphere — the living organisms on Earth

  • This type of cycling is driven by the cellular metabolism of producers in ecosystems

  • The main biological processes involved in fast carbon cycling are photosynthesis and cellular respiration

  • For fast carbon cycling, the primary carbon reservoir is the atmosphere

  • The length of time a carbon compound spends in the atmosphere is relatively brief


3
New cards

Other Processes

  • During the process of decomposition of organic material, decomposer organisms help

    • Return of CO2 to the atmosphere through cellular respiration

    • Return of carbon to soil or water through breakdown of sugars in the bodies they are decomposing

  • Sedimentation and burial: Organic material can result in a much longer sequestration of carbon compounds. Once the carbon is buried, it is essentially removed from the fast carbon cycle

  • Remember, the deep ocean sediments and fossil carbon (coal, oil, natural gas) are the largest reservoirs of carbon … and those are the result of sedimentation and burial

  • Long-term carbon reservoirs can return to cycling via…

    • Fossil fuel extraction and combustion (quick return to cycling)

    • Uplift and weathering of limestone (slow return to cycling)


4
New cards

Blank

Blank