Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
carbon cycle revision notes (carbon on the land (high amounts of carbon on…
carbon cycle revision notes
photosynthesis
a process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
respiration
process in which plant and animal organisms release carbon
this produces energy from glucose
decomposition
marine organisms / plants / animals die and their bodies decay
when decomposition occurs the trapped carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
if marine organisms decay, the carbon dioxide trapped inside their bodies via diffusion is released overtime. sedimentation occurs when the shells fall to the sea bed, as well as a process called lithification
sedimentation
decay of marine organisms occurs
the dead organisms fall to the sea bed
overtime sedimentation occurs forming sedimentary rocks due to the build up of layers + pressure
weathering
rocks are broken down
this is because rain water is slightly acidic
therefore causing the in-situ breakdown of rocks
carbon on the land
high amounts of carbon on the land in soils
case study: Tundra area
this is because the carbon existing underground is trapped within the frozen soil (active layer)
lower levels of carbon in plants, due to the lack of vegetation
there is lack of vegetation in Tundra due to the colder climates, this is because Tundra is located in high altitudes
sequestration in the oceans (biological pump)
phytoplankton exists near the ocean surface
phytoplankton may die overtime, or alternatively get eaten by another organism such as a fish
if it dies overtime, the phytoplankton will fall to the sea bed and decay.
or if eaten by fish, the fish will eventually die and fall to the sea bed. once again it will decay
this results in sedimentation and formation of sedimentary rocks (lithification)
sequestration in the oceans (physical pump)
diffusion occurs. when carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere into the oceans (colder) this is called a carbon sink
down-welling occurs which means that the stored carbon sinks
carbon rich water rises as ocean warms in a process called up-welling
warmer oceans diffuse more carbon OUT of the ocean and back into the atmosphere