Question
The figure below represents a modified and simplified model of the Carbon Cycle. The reservoirs of the system are labeled with their name and the amount of carbon in the reservoir in the units of mass in billions of (109) metric tons. For example, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is 735 x 109 metric tons. (Note: 1 metric ton = 1000 kg) The arrows represent the flux from one reservoir to another. The solid lines represent natural fluxes and dashed lines represent human-accelerated fluxes. The table below lists natural and human-accelerated fluxes within the system. The units of the fluxes is billions of metric tons per year. For example, the flux of photosynthesis by plants takes carbon from the atmosphere to plants at a rate of 102 Times 109 metric tons/yr. Sources: Houghton, J. Jenkins, G., and Hphraums, J., 1990. Climate Change: The 1PCC Scientific Assessment. Cambridge Univ. Press (for UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). National Research Council, 1986. Global Change in the Geosphere-Biosphere. Washington: National Academy Press. What's missing in this example of the carbon cycle? Can you think of a reservoir or flux that is not included? Name at least two and explain what affect each might have on the carbon cycle.
Explanation / Answer
1.Animals -----although they are not too different from plants but still...they will affect the cycle as they will act as source to form more Fossil Fuel.... ............. 2. Maybe Emissions of Carbon products from Factory ............. 3. Respiration by Animals (Including Humans)............. 4. Emissions of carbon containing gases from natural sources such as Volcanoes and Hotspots...... .................................. However...The natural flows of carbon between the atmosphere, ocean, and sediments is fairly balanced, so that carbon levels would be roughly stable without human influence.
