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3.a.4 How does fossil fuel combustion impact the carbon and water cycle?…
3.a.4
How does fossil fuel combustion impact the carbon and water cycle?
Fossil Fuels
What are fossil fuels?
Sources of energy from pools of dead organic material.
How was coal formed?
Vegetation decomposed and hardened over time.
How was oil formed?
Small organisms.
How was natural gas formed?
Small organisms - more pressure and heat than oil.
What are fossil fuels used for?
Electricity, cars etc.
Fossil fuel combustion
87%
of global energy combustion is from fossil fuels.
10 billion tonnes
of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere annually.
Since 1750,
2000 GT
of anthropogenic carbon dioxide has been released into the atmosphere.
Since 1750,
879 GT
of carbon dioxide emissions have remained in the atmosphere.
Global Energy Consumption
Global energy consumption
accounts for significant proportion of carbon emissions.
Even with the push for nuclear and more renewable and sustainable forms of power, these still make up only a small proportion of energy consumption.
Carbon Dioxide
The majority of carbon dioxide is in N. America, Europe and Asia.
It decreases during the summer as photosynthesis increases so is absorbed.
Carbon monoxide is also present in the atmosphere and is caused by wild fires etc. Mostly found in Africa and S. America.
During the winter, carbon dioxide increases because there is less photosynthesis.
Water vapor, CO2 and the Greenhouse effect
Carbon dioxide is the gas that sets the temperature.
Carbon dioxide controls the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere and this the size of the greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide slightly increases temperatures.
Water vapor in the air is controlled by the Earth's temperature.
Water temps mean more
evaporation
and therefore, more
water vapor
in the
atmosphere
(increasing the greenhouse effect.
Cooler temps mean more
condensation
and therefore, less
water vapor
in the
atmosphere
( decreasing the greenhouse effect).