Carbon Cycle: Sources and Sinks

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Questions and Answers

Explain how increased hydrogen ions in the ocean, resulting from higher carbonic acid levels, affect the ability of sea creatures to form shells.

Increased hydrogen ions react with carbonate ions, reducing the availability of carbonate for shell formation, thus hindering shell production.

Describe the chemical process that occurs when acid comes into contact with calcium carbonate shells, and what are the resulting byproducts?

Hydrogen ions react with carbonate ions in the shell, breaking it down into soluble calcium and carbonate ions, and releasing carbon dioxide and water.

Why does warmer and saltier water have a reduced capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide?

Warmer water has lower CO2 solubility, and higher salinity decreases CO2 absorption by altering the chemical equilibrium of carbonate species.

Explain how decomposing plants and animals contribute to both the release and absorption of carbon dioxide in soil.

Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing CO2 into the soil, which is later absorbed by plant roots through respiration and photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

During winter months, what factors limit the rate of photosynthesis in plants, and how does this affect the carbon cycle?

Lower temperatures, reduced light intensity, and shorter days reduce the rate of photosynthesis, decreasing carbon dioxide absorption from the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the contrasting roles of photosynthesis and respiration in the fast carbon cycle, indicating the sources and sinks involved in each process.

Photosynthesis absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and oceans to produce organic carbon, while respiration releases CO2 back into the atmosphere, soil, and oceans. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how oceanic organisms contribute to long-term carbon sequestration after they die, detailing the eventual formation of fossil fuels or shale.

Their bodies sink to the sea floor, and the carbon in their shells or skeletons is locked up in sedimentary rock, eventually becoming fossil fuels or shale over millions of years. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the process by which the greenhouse effect traps heat in the atmosphere, including the roles of short waves and long waves.

Short waves pass through the atmosphere and hit Earth’s surface. The energy is re-radiated as long waves which are then absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases, trapping heat. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the steps involved in generating electricity from coal, including the energy conversions that occur at each stage.

Coal is burned to produce heat, which boils water to create steam. The steam turns a turbine, which powers a generator to produce electricity. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between kinetic and potential energy, providing examples relevant to environmental processes.

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, like wind, while potential energy is stored energy, such as chemical energy in fossil fuels or gravitational energy in water behind a dam. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast complete and incomplete combustion, detailing the typical products of each process and their environmental impacts.

Complete combustion produces carbon dioxide and water, while incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide, carbon particles (soot), and water. Carbon monoxide is toxic, and soot contributes to air pollution. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the chemical reactions involved in the formation of acid rain, naming the primary polluting gases and the strong acids produced.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide dissolve in atmospheric water to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, respectively, resulting in acid rain. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the chemical process that occurs in acid rain, when it interacts with metal and what are the resulting byproducts?

The acid rain reacts with the metal. The acid rain dissolves the metal resulting in a salt and hydrogen. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of corrosion, including the reactants needed and the visual manifestations in iron and copper.

Corrosion requires metal, oxygen, and/or water, resulting in the formation of metal oxides. Iron corrosion appears as orange or brown rust, while copper corrosion appears as a blue/green patina. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the water table contributes to soil salinity, detailing the origin of the salt and its effects on plant health.

Water rises from the water table through a salt rock layer, carrying salt to the surface, where it accumulates in the soil, hindering plant roots’ ability to absorb water and nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of bioaccumulation, outlining how heavy metals propagate through a food chain and why they are dangerous to living organisms.

Heavy metals are absorbed by plants, consumed by animals, and transferred up the food chain. They are dangerous because they are fat-soluble and accumulate in tissues, leading to toxic effects. Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of ocean acidification affect marine ecosystems, and what are the potential long-term consequences for biodiversity?

Ocean acidification reduces the availability of carbonate ions, hindering shell formation in marine organisms. This disrupts food webs and reduces biodiversity over time. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the feedback loop involving increased ocean salinity, its effect on carbon dioxide absorption, and its potential contribution to global warming.

Increased ocean salinity reduces carbon dioxide absorption, causing more carbon dioxide to remain in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how both fast and slow carbon cycles are essential for maintaining Earth's climate, and describe how human activities disrupt these cycles.

Fast cycles regulate short-term carbon fluxes through photosynthesis and respiration, while slow cycles sequester carbon in geological formations. Human activities disrupt both by increasing CO2 emissions and altering land use. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast the roles of surface ocean and deep ocean in the long-term carbon cycle.

The surface ocean absorbs atmospheric CO2, facilitating mixing into deeper waters for long-term storage. Deep oceans store CO2 for centuries, locking it away from the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Combustion equation

Fuel + O2 → CO2 + H2O

What are Carbon Sinks?

Places that lock carbon away, preventing its release to the atmosphere, like plants or the ocean.