Lecture 23: Ocean and Global Carbon Cycle

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes on the ocean and global carbon cycle.

Carbon Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle involving the movement of carbon through the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

CO₂ Levels

Concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, measured in parts per million (ppm).

Osmoregulation

The process by which organisms maintain the balance of water and electrolytes in their bodies.

Buoyancy

The ability or tendency of an object to float in a fluid.

Coral

Marine invertebrates within the class Anthozoa that form reefs by secreting calcium carbonate.

Symbiosis

A close ecological relationship between two or more different species.

Zooxanthellae

Photosynthetic protists that live in the tissues of corals and provide them with nutrients.

Coral Bleaching

The loss of color in corals due to the expulsion of zooxanthellae under environmental stress.

Atmospheric CO₂

Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, crucial for regulating temperature and climate.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient organisms, primarily coal, oil, and natural gas.

Seasonal Cycling

Periodic fluctuations in levels of CO₂ that occur with changes in temperature throughout the year.

Glacial Periods

Times in Earth’s history when large ice sheets covered significant portions of the continents.

Interglacial Periods

Warmer periods during an ice age, characterized by the melting of ice sheets and higher sea levels.

Temporal Range

The span of time over which a particular phenomenon occurs or is observed.

Fossil Records

Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms used to study past environments and climates.

Stomata

Microscopic pores on plant leaves that regulate gas exchange, including CO₂ uptake.

Reduction

A chemical reaction that involves the gaining of electrons or decreasing oxidation state.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons or increasing oxidation state.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.

Respiration

The process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, producing CO₂ and water.

Residence Time

The average time that a molecule of a substance stays in a particular reservoir.

Land Use Change

Transformation of natural landscapes into urban, agricultural, or other land uses.

Deforestation

The clearing or thinning of forests by humans to create space for agriculture or urban development.

Global Carbon Budget

An accounting framework used to track the sources and sinks of carbon in the Earth’s systems.

Kaya Identity

A mathematical identity that describes the drivers of carbon emissions through population, affluence, energy intensity, and carbon intensity.

Population Growth

Increase in the number of inhabitants in a particular area or globally.

Economic Output per Capita

A measure of the economic performance of a country, averaged per person.

Energy Intensity

The amount of energy consumed per unit of economic output.

Carbon Intensity

The amount of carbon emissions produced per unit of energy consumed.

Ecological Contrasts

Differences in ecological conditions and outcomes resulting from varying management or historical land use.

Statistical Trends

Patterns observed in data over time that show how variables are related.

Regional Impacts

Effects of environmental changes or policies that vary by geographical area.

Global Impacts

Effects of environmental changes or policies that are felt across multiple countries or worldwide.