AP®︎ Environmental Science: Topic 1.4 Flashcards

Movement of conserved carbon atoms and carbon-containing molecules among organisms, air, water, soils, sediments, rocks, and fossil fuels

A location where carbon is stored, such as the atmosphere, organisms, soil, oceans, rocks, or fossil fuels

A transfer of carbon from one reservoir to another, usually expressed as a rate

The average amount of time carbon remains in a reservoir

Solar-powered transfer of inorganic carbon into producer biomass: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Incorporation of inorganic carbon from carbon dioxide into organic molecules during photosynthesis

Breakdown of organic compounds that transfers carbon back to air or water as CO₂: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy

Breakdown of dead organisms and waste that releases carbon through decomposer respiration or leaves some carbon stored in soil

Two-way movement of CO₂ as atmospheric carbon dissolves into surface water and dissolved carbon returns to the atmosphere

Settling and burial of organic matter or carbonate material into sediments, transferring carbon toward long-term storage

A long-lived carbon reservoir, such as limestone, formed when buried carbonate material is compacted and cemented

Coal, petroleum, and natural gas formed over millions of years from buried, incompletely decomposed organic matter under heat and pressure

Oxidation of carbon-containing material that releases CO₂; burning fossil fuels rapidly transfers geological carbon to the atmosphere

Forest removal that decreases biomass storage and photosynthetic uptake while increasing carbon release through burning, decomposition, and soil disturbance

A reservoir or process that releases more carbon than it takes in during a given period

A reservoir or process that takes in more carbon than it releases during a given period

Relatively rapid carbon exchanges among the atmosphere, surface ocean, organisms, dead organic matter, and soil

Long-term carbon movement and storage through burial, deep-ocean processes, sediments, rocks, fossil fuels, and geological activity