Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 4.3 Carbon Cycling Part 3
In aquatic ecosystems, what is deposited upon organic matter to start the formation of oil/natural gas?
Sediments (e.g. clay and mud) are deposited on top of the organic matter, creating anoxic conditions that prevent decomposition
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
In aquatic ecosystems, what is deposited upon organic matter to start the formation of oil/natural gas?
Sediments (e.g. clay and mud) are deposited on top of the organic matter, creating anoxic conditions that prevent decomposition
What is a result of the material compaction in aquatic ecosystems?
As a result of the burial and compaction, the organic material becomes heated and hydrocarbons are formed
What do the hydrocarbons form? (aquatic ecosystem)
The hydrocarbons form oil and gas, which are forced out of the source rock and accumulate in porous rocks (e.g. sandstone)
How long does it take for various fossil fuels to be formed?
The formation of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) takes place over millions of years, making them a non-renewable energy source
What is a combustion reaction? (conditions)
When organic compounds rich in hydrocarbons are heated in the presence of oxygen, they undergo a combustion reaction
What type of reaction is combustion?
This reaction is exergonic (produces energy) and releases carbon dioxide and water as by-products
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
In aquatic ecosystems, what is deposited upon organic matter to start the formation of oil/natural gas? | Sediments (e.g. clay and mud) are deposited on top of the organic matter, creating anoxic conditions that prevent decomposition |
What is a result of the material compaction in aquatic ecosystems? | As a result of the burial and compaction, the organic material becomes heated and hydrocarbons are formed |
What do the hydrocarbons form? (aquatic ecosystem) | The hydrocarbons form oil and gas, which are forced out of the source rock and accumulate in porous rocks (e.g. sandstone) |
How long does it take for various fossil fuels to be formed? | The formation of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) takes place over millions of years, making them a non-renewable energy source |
What is a combustion reaction? (conditions) | When organic compounds rich in hydrocarbons are heated in the presence of oxygen, they undergo a combustion reaction |
What type of reaction is combustion? | This reaction is exergonic (produces energy) and releases carbon dioxide and water as by-products |
What happens to the carbon dioxide produced by combustion? | The carbon dioxide is typically released into the atmosphere, increasing the concentration of the gas in the air |
What happens to organic compounds when they're compacted for millions of years? | Organic compounds can become rich in hydrocarbons when compacted underground for millions of years |
What does compaction trigger in order to make organic matter rich in hydrocarbons? | The heat and pressure over time triggers a chemical transformation that results in the compaction of the organic matter |
What is produced by the compaction of organic matter? | The resulting products of this process are fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) |
Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable? | Because this geological process takes millions of years to occur, fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source |
What is another way to manufacture fuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels? | An alternative to relying on fuels produced by geological processes is to manufacture fuels from biological processes |
What do living organisms produce which are useful for fuels? | Living organisms produce hydrocarbons as part of their total biomass (either for use or as a waste product) |
What can be done with the hydrocarbons produced by organisms? | These hydrocarbons can be extracted and purified to produce an alternative fuel source (e.g. bioethanol and biodiesel) |
Why is biomass considered a 'better' fuel source? | Provided new raw materials are provided and waste products are removed, this source of energy is renewable |
What are carbon fluxes? | Carbon fluxes describe the rate of exchange of carbon between the various carbon sinks / reservoirs |
What are the 4 main carbon sinks? | There are four main carbon sinks – lithosphere (earth crust), hydrosphere (oceans), atmosphere (air), biosphere (organisms) |
What does the rate of carbon exchange depend on? | The rate at which carbon is exchanged between these reservoirs depends on the conversion processes involved |
What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle? | removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fixes it in producers as organic compounds |
What is the role of respiration in the carbon cycle? | releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when organic compounds are digested in living organisms |
What is the role of decomposition in the carbon cycle? | releases carbon products into the air or sediment when organic matter is recycled after death of an organism |
What is the role of gaseous dissolution in the carbon cycle? | the exchange of carbon gases between the ocean and atmosphere |
What is the role of lithification in the carbon cycle? | the compaction of carbon-containing sediments into fossils and rocks within the Earth’s crust (e.g. limestone) |
What is the role of combustion in the carbon cycle? | releases carbon gases when organic hydrocarbons (coal, oil and gas) are burned as a fuel source |
Is it possible to measure the size of carbon sinks? | NO |