I. On the left hand side of the figure, the carbon reservoirs are labeled short and long term. What is the difference between these reservoirs (why are they called long term and short term)? II. What are the short-term carbon reservoirs? III. What are the long-term carbon reservoirs? IV. Where is most of the carbon on earth stored?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
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ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
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**Carbon Cycle Diagram Explanation**

This figure depicts the carbon cycle, illustrating where carbon is stored on Earth and how it cycles in and out of various reservoirs.

**Diagram Components:**

1. **Atmosphere (800 Gt):**
   - Acts as a central hub for carbon exchange with various reservoirs.
   - Key processes: 
     - Volcanic eruption adds 0.25 Gt/year.
     - Respiration and plant decay add 120 Gt/year.
     - Ocean uptake absorbs 90 Gt/year from the atmosphere.
     - Photosynthesis absorbs 120 Gt/year from the atmosphere.
     - Deforestation and land use change release 1-2 Gt/year.
     - Combustion releases 8.4 Gt/year.

2. **Short-Term Carbon Reservoirs:**
   - **Oceans (1,000 Gt):**
     - Exchanges 90 Gt/year with the atmosphere.
   - **Plants and Soil (2,850 Gt):**
     - Exchanges 120 Gt/year via photosynthesis and respiration.

3. **Long-Term Carbon Reservoirs:**
   - **Deep Ocean Carbonate Minerals and Dissolved CO₂ (37,000 Gt):**
     - A stable and extensive carbon store.
   - **Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas) (10,000 Gt):**
     - Releases 8.4 Gt/year through combustion and 1.5 Gt/year through cement production.
   - **Reactive Sedimentary Rock (6,000 Gt):**
     - Represents the most stable long-term storage.
   
**Questions:**

I. **Difference between reservoirs:**  
   - **Short-term reservoirs** involve quick exchanges of carbon with the atmosphere, usually on a timescale of years to centuries.
   - **Long-term reservoirs** store carbon over millennia and release it very slowly.

II. **Short-term carbon reservoirs:**  
   - Oceans, Plants, Soil

III. **Long-term carbon reservoirs:**  
   - Deep ocean carbonate minerals and dissolved CO₂, Fossil fuels, Reactive sedimentary rock

IV. **Primary location of carbon storage on Earth:**  
   - Most carbon is stored in the deep ocean carbonate minerals and dissolved CO₂, which total 37,000 Gt.
Transcribed Image Text:**Carbon Cycle Diagram Explanation** This figure depicts the carbon cycle, illustrating where carbon is stored on Earth and how it cycles in and out of various reservoirs. **Diagram Components:** 1. **Atmosphere (800 Gt):** - Acts as a central hub for carbon exchange with various reservoirs. - Key processes: - Volcanic eruption adds 0.25 Gt/year. - Respiration and plant decay add 120 Gt/year. - Ocean uptake absorbs 90 Gt/year from the atmosphere. - Photosynthesis absorbs 120 Gt/year from the atmosphere. - Deforestation and land use change release 1-2 Gt/year. - Combustion releases 8.4 Gt/year. 2. **Short-Term Carbon Reservoirs:** - **Oceans (1,000 Gt):** - Exchanges 90 Gt/year with the atmosphere. - **Plants and Soil (2,850 Gt):** - Exchanges 120 Gt/year via photosynthesis and respiration. 3. **Long-Term Carbon Reservoirs:** - **Deep Ocean Carbonate Minerals and Dissolved CO₂ (37,000 Gt):** - A stable and extensive carbon store. - **Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas) (10,000 Gt):** - Releases 8.4 Gt/year through combustion and 1.5 Gt/year through cement production. - **Reactive Sedimentary Rock (6,000 Gt):** - Represents the most stable long-term storage. **Questions:** I. **Difference between reservoirs:** - **Short-term reservoirs** involve quick exchanges of carbon with the atmosphere, usually on a timescale of years to centuries. - **Long-term reservoirs** store carbon over millennia and release it very slowly. II. **Short-term carbon reservoirs:** - Oceans, Plants, Soil III. **Long-term carbon reservoirs:** - Deep ocean carbonate minerals and dissolved CO₂, Fossil fuels, Reactive sedimentary rock IV. **Primary location of carbon storage on Earth:** - Most carbon is stored in the deep ocean carbonate minerals and dissolved CO₂, which total 37,000 Gt.
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