Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 4.3 Carbon Cycling Part 2
What can hydrogen carbonate ions come into contact with in the ocean?
When the hydrogen carbonate ions come into contact with the rocks and sediments on the ocean floor, they acquire metal ions
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Term
Definition
What can hydrogen carbonate ions come into contact with in the ocean?
When the hydrogen carbonate ions come into contact with the rocks and sediments on the ocean floor, they acquire metal ions
What can the contact between HCO3- ions with rocks and sediments form?
This commonly results in the formation of calcium carbonate and the subsequent development of limestone
How can CaCO3 be formed in oceans?
Living animals may also combine the hydrogen carbonate ions with calcium to form calcium carbonate
What is the use of calcium carbonate in aquatic environments?
This calcium carbonate forms the hardened exoskeleton of coral, as well as forming the main component of mollusca shells
What happens to the calcium carbonate when an organism dies?
When the organism dies and settles to the sea floor, these hard components may become fossilised in the limestone
What are methanogens?
Methanogens are archaean microorganisms that produce methane (CH4) as a metabolic by-product in anaerobic conditions
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What can hydrogen carbonate ions come into contact with in the ocean? | When the hydrogen carbonate ions come into contact with the rocks and sediments on the ocean floor, they acquire metal ions |
What can the contact between HCO3- ions with rocks and sediments form? | This commonly results in the formation of calcium carbonate and the subsequent development of limestone |
How can CaCO3 be formed in oceans? | Living animals may also combine the hydrogen carbonate ions with calcium to form calcium carbonate |
What is the use of calcium carbonate in aquatic environments? | This calcium carbonate forms the hardened exoskeleton of coral, as well as forming the main component of mollusca shells |
What happens to the calcium carbonate when an organism dies? | When the organism dies and settles to the sea floor, these hard components may become fossilised in the limestone |
What are methanogens? | Methanogens are archaean microorganisms that produce methane (CH4) as a metabolic by-product in anaerobic conditions |
Where can methanogens be found? | Anaerobic conditions where methanogens may be found include: Wetlands (e.g. swamps and marshes), Marine sediments (e.g. in the mud of lake beds), Digestive tract of ruminant animals (e.g. cows, sheep, goats) |
What do methanogens produce and how? | Methanogens produce methane from the by-products of anaerobic digestion, principally acetic acid and carbon dioxide: |
How is acetic acid used in methanogens? give equation | Acetic acid → Methane and Carbon Dioxide (CH3COO– + H+ → CH4 + CO2) |
How is CO2 and H2O used by methanogens? Give equation | Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen → Methane and Water (CO2 + 4 H2 → CH4 + 2 H2O) |
What happens to released methane? | Methane may either accumulate under the ground or diffuse into the atmosphere |
How may natural gas be formed? | When organic matter is buried in anoxic conditions (e.g. sea beds), deposits of methane (natural gas) may form underground |
What may be increasing global levels of methane? | Rising global numbers of domesticated cattle may be increasing the levels of methane being released into the atmosphere |
How long does methane persist in the atmosphere? | When methane is released into the atmosphere as a result of anaerobic reactions, it only persists for ~12 years |
Why are methane levels in the atmosphere are not very large, even though significant quantities are being produced? | Methane will be naturally oxidised to form carbon dioxide and water (CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O) |
What is methane oxidised to? Give equation | Methane will be naturally oxidised to form carbon dioxide and water (CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O) |
How are nutrients recycled in soil? | In many soils, saprotrophic bacteria and fungi will decompose dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil for cycling |
What does the process of decomposition require? | This decomposition process requires oxygen (cell respiration is required to fuel digestive reactions) |
Where is aerobic decomposition not possible? | Waterlogged regions may lack oxygenated air spaces within the soil and thus possess anaerobic conditions |
What does anaerobic respiration form? | Anaerobic respiration by organisms in these regions produces organic acids (e.g. acetate), resulting in acidic conditions |
What do the acidic conditions (in soils) prevent? | Saprotrophic bacteria and fungi cannot function effectively in anaerobic / acidic conditions, preventing decomposition |
What is formed due to the incomplete decomposition of organic matter? | Since the organic matter is not fully decomposed in waterlogged soils, carbon-rich molecules remain in the soil and form peat |
What happens when peat is compressed? | When deposits of peat are compressed under sediments, the heat and pressure force out impurities and remove moisture |
How is coal produced from peat? | The remaining material has a high carbon concentration and undergoes a chemical transformation to produce coal |
In general, how is oil and natural gas formed? | Oil (i.e. petroleum) and natural gas form as the result of the decay of marine organisms on the ocean floor |