The Carbon Cycle - AP Environmental Science
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Which form of carbon is stored in the ocean?
Which form of carbon is stored in the ocean?
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Dissolved inorganic carbon. Bicarbonates and carbonates dissolved in ocean water.
Dissolved inorganic carbon. Bicarbonates and carbonates dissolved in ocean water.
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In which process is carbon transferred from the atmosphere to the biosphere?
In which process is carbon transferred from the atmosphere to the biosphere?
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Photosynthesis. Plants remove atmospheric $CO_2$ and convert it to biomass.
Photosynthesis. Plants remove atmospheric $CO_2$ and convert it to biomass.
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During which process do oceans release CO2 back into the atmosphere?
During which process do oceans release CO2 back into the atmosphere?
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Degassing. Warmer water releases dissolved $CO_2$ back to atmosphere.
Degassing. Warmer water releases dissolved $CO_2$ back to atmosphere.
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Identify the process that converts organic carbon into carbon dioxide in soils.
Identify the process that converts organic carbon into carbon dioxide in soils.
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Soil respiration. Microorganisms in soil decompose organic matter, releasing $CO_2$.
Soil respiration. Microorganisms in soil decompose organic matter, releasing $CO_2$.
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How do fossil fuels form over geological time?
How do fossil fuels form over geological time?
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From decomposed organic matter under pressure. Heat and pressure transform buried organic material over millions of years.
From decomposed organic matter under pressure. Heat and pressure transform buried organic material over millions of years.
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Which process involves the breakdown of organic matter, releasing carbon into the soil?
Which process involves the breakdown of organic matter, releasing carbon into the soil?
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Decomposition. Bacteria and fungi break down dead material, releasing carbon.
Decomposition. Bacteria and fungi break down dead material, releasing carbon.
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Which process describes the conversion of organic carbon back into atmospheric CO2?
Which process describes the conversion of organic carbon back into atmospheric CO2?
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Respiration. Cellular process breaking down glucose and releasing $CO_2$.
Respiration. Cellular process breaking down glucose and releasing $CO_2$.
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Which cycle describes the movement of carbon through living organisms and the environment?
Which cycle describes the movement of carbon through living organisms and the environment?
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The carbon cycle. Movement of carbon between atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
The carbon cycle. Movement of carbon between atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
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Identify the largest carbon reservoir on Earth.
Identify the largest carbon reservoir on Earth.
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Sedimentary rocks. Contains limestone and other carbonate minerals storing most Earth's carbon.
Sedimentary rocks. Contains limestone and other carbonate minerals storing most Earth's carbon.
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Name the process that converts atmospheric CO2 into glucose in plants.
Name the process that converts atmospheric CO2 into glucose in plants.
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Calvin cycle. Light-independent reactions that fix $CO_2$ into sugar molecules.
Calvin cycle. Light-independent reactions that fix $CO_2$ into sugar molecules.
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Name the process where dead organisms are converted into fossil fuels.
Name the process where dead organisms are converted into fossil fuels.
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Fossilization. Dead organisms buried under sediments form coal, oil, and gas over time.
Fossilization. Dead organisms buried under sediments form coal, oil, and gas over time.
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Which human activity is the largest source of CO2 emissions?
Which human activity is the largest source of CO2 emissions?
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Burning fossil fuels. Combustion releases stored carbon from coal, oil, and natural gas.
Burning fossil fuels. Combustion releases stored carbon from coal, oil, and natural gas.
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What is the term for carbon stored in fossil fuels?
What is the term for carbon stored in fossil fuels?
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Geological carbon. Carbon stored in coal, oil, and natural gas deposits.
Geological carbon. Carbon stored in coal, oil, and natural gas deposits.
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What is the process by which plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis?
What is the process by which plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis?
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Carbon fixation. The process where plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic molecules.
Carbon fixation. The process where plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic molecules.
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Which human activity significantly disrupts the carbon cycle?
Which human activity significantly disrupts the carbon cycle?
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Deforestation. Removing forests reduces carbon storage and increases emissions.
Deforestation. Removing forests reduces carbon storage and increases emissions.
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What is the primary source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions?
What is the primary source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions?
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Burning of fossil fuels. Human activities like coal, oil, and gas combustion.
Burning of fossil fuels. Human activities like coal, oil, and gas combustion.
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What role do marine organisms play in the carbon cycle?
What role do marine organisms play in the carbon cycle?
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They sequester carbon in shells and skeletons. Build calcium carbonate shells that store carbon long-term.
They sequester carbon in shells and skeletons. Build calcium carbonate shells that store carbon long-term.
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What is the impact of increased atmospheric CO2 on global temperature?
What is the impact of increased atmospheric CO2 on global temperature?
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Global warming. More atmospheric $CO_2$ enhances the greenhouse effect.
Global warming. More atmospheric $CO_2$ enhances the greenhouse effect.
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In which form is carbon most abundantly found in the atmosphere?
In which form is carbon most abundantly found in the atmosphere?
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Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Makes up about 0.04% of atmospheric gases by volume.
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Makes up about 0.04% of atmospheric gases by volume.
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What is the result of increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
What is the result of increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
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Enhanced greenhouse effect. More heat trapped leads to rising global temperatures.
Enhanced greenhouse effect. More heat trapped leads to rising global temperatures.
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What is the process by which carbon dioxide is absorbed by ocean water?
What is the process by which carbon dioxide is absorbed by ocean water?
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Dissolution. $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater forming carbonic acid and bicarbonates.
Dissolution. $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater forming carbonic acid and bicarbonates.
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How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
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Increases CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Removing trees reduces carbon sequestration and adds $CO_2$ from burning.
Increases CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Removing trees reduces carbon sequestration and adds $CO_2$ from burning.
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What is the relationship between the carbon cycle and climate change?
What is the relationship between the carbon cycle and climate change?
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Increased CO2 leads to global warming. Excess atmospheric carbon enhances greenhouse warming.
Increased CO2 leads to global warming. Excess atmospheric carbon enhances greenhouse warming.
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What impact does increased CO2 have on the pH of ocean waters?
What impact does increased CO2 have on the pH of ocean waters?
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Decreases pH (acidification). Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.
Decreases pH (acidification). Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.
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What is the term for carbon stored in trees and plants?
What is the term for carbon stored in trees and plants?
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Biomass carbon. Carbon stored in living plant tissues and wood.
Biomass carbon. Carbon stored in living plant tissues and wood.
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What is the primary role of decomposers in the carbon cycle?
What is the primary role of decomposers in the carbon cycle?
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Decompose organic matter, releasing CO2. Bacteria and fungi break down dead material, returning carbon to atmosphere.
Decompose organic matter, releasing CO2. Bacteria and fungi break down dead material, returning carbon to atmosphere.
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Which form of carbon is stored in the ocean?
Which form of carbon is stored in the ocean?
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Dissolved inorganic carbon. Bicarbonates and carbonates dissolved in ocean water.
Dissolved inorganic carbon. Bicarbonates and carbonates dissolved in ocean water.
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What is the primary form of carbon found in the ocean?
What is the primary form of carbon found in the ocean?
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Bicarbonate ions ($HCO_3^-$). Most oceanic carbon exists as dissolved bicarbonate ions.
Bicarbonate ions ($HCO_3^-$). Most oceanic carbon exists as dissolved bicarbonate ions.
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Identify the process by which CO2 is converted into organic compounds by plants.
Identify the process by which CO2 is converted into organic compounds by plants.
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Photosynthesis. Light-driven process converting $CO_2$ and water into glucose.
Photosynthesis. Light-driven process converting $CO_2$ and water into glucose.
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Which gas is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
Which gas is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
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Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Absorbs infrared radiation, trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Absorbs infrared radiation, trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere.
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