Carbon cycle

Carbon Cycle

The continuous movement of carbon through the Earth's systems, including the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Pedosphere

The soil layer containing carbon in organic and inorganic forms.

Cryosphere

Frozen water parts of the Earth, including permafrost with carbon locked in a reduced decomposition state.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and phytoplankton absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose, releasing oxygen.

Respiration

The process by which plants and animals break down carbohydrates to release energy, producing CO2 as a by-product.

Decomposition

The process by which decomposers break down organic material, transferring carbon back into the atmosphere.

Combustion

The chemical process of burning, releasing carbon stored in vegetation or fossil fuels back into the atmosphere.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO2; can be natural or technological.

Weathering

The process by which rocks break down into smaller particles and release carbon into the earth's systems.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, containing crucial carbon in the form of CO2 and CH4.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems where living organisms interact with the environment, absorbing and releasing CO2.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer part of the earth, composed of the crust and upper mantle, containing carbon in rocks and fossil fuels.

Hydrosphere

All of Earth's water systems, including oceans and lakes, that play a key role in carbon absorption.

Carbon Sink

A natural reservoir that absorbs more carbon than it emits, such as forests and oceans.

Carbon Source

Any system that emits more carbon than it absorbs, like a damaged rainforest or fossil fuel combustion.

Gigatonne (Gt)

A unit of measurement equivalent to one billion metric tons, often used to express carbon emissions.

Carbon Budget

The balance between carbon inputs and outputs within a specific store or scale.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, often linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH of the oceans caused by the uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas that is much more effective than CO2 at trapping heat.

Carbon Fertilization

The increase in plant growth due to higher atmospheric CO2 levels enhancing photosynthesis.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Feedback Mechanism

Processes that can amplify (positive feedback) or diminish (negative feedback) the effects of a change in the system.

Tectonic Processes

Geological processes involving the movement of the Earth’s plates that affect carbon storage in the lithosphere.

Carbon Burial

The process of storing carbon in the lithosphere for millions of years, thereby removing it from the active carbon cycle.

Photosynthetic Pigments

Compounds in plants that absorb light energy for photosynthesis, such as chlorophyll.

Permafrost

Soil that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, storing carbon in organic matter.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from decomposed organisms over millions of years.

Tropical Rainforests

Dense forests located around the equator, known for high biodiversity and significant carbon storage capacity.

CO2 Concentration

The amount of carbon dioxide present in a given volume of air, measured in parts per million (ppm).

Global Warming

The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning.

Wildfires

Uncontrolled fires that occur in forests and grasslands, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Volcanic Eruptions

Natural geological explosions that can release significant amounts of CO2 and other gases into the atmosphere.

Limnic Eruptions

Outgassing events from lakes that emit large amounts of CO2, sometimes resulting in severe consequences.

Soil Erosion

The removal of the top layer of soil, negatively impacting carbon storage and cycling in the pedosphere.

Technological Sequestration (CCS)

Carbon Capture and Storage techniques designed to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources.

Carbonic Acid

A weak acid formed in solution when carbon dioxide dissolves in water.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, which can influence carbon storage capacity.

Hydrocarbon Extraction

The process of obtaining oil and gas resources from underground deposits, significantly affecting the carbon cycle.

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

A farming method that involves cutting and burning forests to create fields, leading to significant carbon emissions.

Ecosystem Progression (Sere Scale)

The stages of ecological development in communities, affecting carbon storage differently at each stage.

Carbon Transfer

The movement of carbon between different stores in the carbon cycle.

Natural Carbon Stores

Carbon reservoirs found in nature, such as forests, oceans, and soils.

Industrial Emissions

Greenhouse gases released during manufacturing and industrial processes.

Climate Regulation

The natural processes that control the Earth’s climate, often impacted by carbon levels in the atmosphere.

Air Samples

Collected data from the atmosphere used to analyze historical climate conditions.

Glucose

A simple sugar produced during photosynthesis, serving as a primary energy source for plants.

Carbon Dioxide

A colorless gas produced by respiration and combustion, used by plants for photosynthesis.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems, including carbon storage, clean air, and water regulation.

Atmospheric Feedback Loop

A cycle where changes in the atmosphere affect other components, contributing to ongoing climate change.

Nitrous Oxide

A potent greenhouse gas released through agricultural and industrial activities, contributing to climate change.

Sea Level Rise

An increase in the global average sea level due to melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater.

Algae Blooms

Rapid increases in the population of algae in water bodies, often stimulated by nutrient and carbon influx.

Diversity of Carbon Stores

The various forms and locations of carbon reserves across the Earth, impacting carbon cycling dynamics.

Melting Permafrost

The thawing of permanently frozen ground, releasing stored carbon and contributing to global warming.

Oceanic Carbon Storage

The process by which oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, helping regulate global carbon levels.

Greenhouse Effect

The trapping of heat within the Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases, leading to global warming.

Carbon Sink Strengthening

Methods to enhance the ability of natural systems, such as forests and soil, to absorb carbon.

Ecosystem Resilience

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain its functions, including carbon storage.

CO2 Fluctuation

Variations in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, often seasonal.

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks formed from compressed organic materials that are a significant long-term carbon store.

Carbon Emission Rates

The speed at which CO2 is released into the atmosphere, often influenced by human activities.

Carbon Flow Dynamics

The study of how carbon moves between various stores in the carbon cycle over different timescales.

Carbon Content in Biomass

The amount of carbon stored in living organisms, particularly in trees and plants.