ES1002 Week 1: Climate, Carbon, and Solutions
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61 Terms
Q: Why is Earth warmer than expected based on sunlight alone?
The greenhouse effect adds warmth by trapping infrared radiation.
Q: What are the steps of the greenhouse effect?
- Visible light passes through atmosphere2. Absorbed by Earth and re-radiated as infrared3. Greenhouse gases absorb IR4. Ground warms and increases outgoing energy flux
Q: How does respiration contribute to carbon in soils?
Decomposing leaf litter adds organic matter and nutrients to soils.
Q: Why do marshes and bogs store lots of carbon?
Waterlogged conditions limit oxygen, reducing decomposition.
Q: What does peat mature into over time?
Coal (a hydrocarbon).
Q: How is carbon stored in the ocean?
CO₂ dissolves and reacts with water (hydrolysis).
Q: What does low pH indicate about hydrogen ion concentration?
Low pH = high hydrogen ion concentration (10× per pH unit).
Q: How long does the silicate weathering reaction take?
~100,000 years.
Q: What is the difference between inorganic and organic carbon?
Inorganic = oxidized (attached to oxygen);
Organic = reduced (attached to hydrogen).
Q: What process transforms inorganic carbon into organic carbon?
Photosynthesis.
Q: What process transforms organic carbon back into inorganic?
Respiration.
Q: What are the four largest carbon reservoirs?
Sedimentary rocks, oceans, land, atmosphere.
Q: How much carbon is in land reservoirs?
2,000 GtC (living and dead matter).
Q: How much carbon is in the ocean?
~40,000 GtC (1,000 surface + 39,000 deep).
Q: How much carbon is in sediments and rocks?
~50,000,000 GtC.
Q: What forms of carbon exist in sedimentary rocks?
Oxidized (limestone) and reduced (shale, fossil fuels).
Q: What is a flux in the carbon cycle?
The movement of carbon between reservoirs.
Q: What are key fluxes between atmosphere and land?
Photosynthesis, respiration, seasonal changes.
Q: How does carbon move from atmosphere to the deep ocean?
Via dissolution, wave bubbles, deep water formation, and the biological pump.
Q: How does carbon move from Earth's surface to solid Earth?
Through weathering, sedimentation, and volcanism.
Q: What is residence time?
The average time carbon spends in a reservoir.
Q: How do you calculate residence time?
Divide reservoir size by flux in/out.
Q: What has caused recent large increases in atmospheric CO₂?
Human emissions (fossil fuel burning, deforestation).
Q: What is global greening?
Increase in leaf area due to more CO₂ and warmer temperatures.
Q: What is the Kaya Identity used for?
Calculating CO₂ emissions.
Q: What is the formula for the Kaya Identity?
CO₂ emissions = Population × Affluence × Energy Intensity × Carbon Intensity
Q: What is the abbreviation for Kaya Identity terms?
PACE
Q: Which term in the Kaya Identity is most changeable?
Carbon intensity — linked to energy sources and consumption patterns.
Q: What is the impact of switching to 100% renewable electricity?
Uses ~50% less energy overall.
Q: What are the cheapest forms of energy today?
Wind and solar.