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Key Idea 1B: How important is carbon to life on Earth? (Flows (Fixation -…
Key Idea 1B: How important is carbon to life on Earth?
Flows
Fixation - the incorporation of carbon into organic compunds by living orgnaims e.g.photosynthesis
Sequestration - the capture and storage of carbon
Carbon Store: the volume of carbon which is held
Carbon Sink: the accumulation of carbon
The carbon cycle is a closed system - no carbon is lost or added to the whole system - it is transferred in processes
Ocean as a Carbon Store
carbon sinks are in the polar regions, colder temperatures can take in more CO2
carbon stores are in tropical areas.
diffuses into colder waters and travels in a deep ocean current and sinks. (downwelling) The ocean currents move it towards the warm,tropcal water where i will rise and diffuse out (upwelling)
Atmosphere as a carbon store
Northern Hemisphere: large emission areas such as North America, more plant photosynthesis in summer.
Southern Hemisphere: carbon monoxide from fires
Terrestrial Carbon Store
Taigra forest = belt across North America and Russia
Desert = devoid of vegetation
Global Distribution of Carbon in Plants
majority of carbon storage is in the Northern Hemisphere as more plants and land are located there.
varies across the world due to varying plant distribution. Dense areas will store more vegetation than sparse areas such as the desert
The Slow Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere - Deep Oceans - Sedimentary Rocks
The Fast Carbon Cycle
Atmosphere - Land Plants - Surface Oceans
Fluxes
Precipitation: CO2 dissolves in rainwater to form a weak carbonic acid.
Photosynthesis and Respiration: used in photosynthesis and released in respiration
Physical Pump: the mixing of deep and surface oceans water by currents.
Biological Pump: inovlves marine organisms e.g. shells, dying and sinking to the bottom.