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Water and Carbon Cycles

Fast carbon pathways between land and atmosphere

  • 2 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Net primary productivity, decomposition as a carbon pathway and carbon sequestration.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Over what timescales does the fast carbon cycle operate?

Key term

Write the summary equation for photosynthesis.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Over what timescales does the fast carbon cycle operate?

    Model answer

    The fast carbon cycle operates over seconds to decades. Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and combustion all belong to it.

  2. 2

    Write the summary equation for photosynthesis.

    Model answer

    Photosynthesis is summarised as 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. Light energy drives the conversion inside chloroplasts.

  3. 3

    How does photosynthesis transfer carbon between stores?

    Model answer

    Photosynthesis moves carbon from the atmospheric store into the vegetation store. Carbon dioxide is fixed into glucose and then into plant tissue.

  4. 4

    What is meant by net primary productivity?

    Model answer

    Net primary productivity is the rate at which plants store energy as biomass after their own respiration. Measurement is usually in grams of carbon per square metre per year.

  5. 5

    How does respiration return carbon to the atmosphere?

    Model answer

    Respiration breaks down glucose to release energy, and carbon dioxide is a product. Plants, animals and soil organisms all respire continuously.

  6. 6

    Explain decomposition as a carbon pathway.

    Model answer

    Bacteria and fungi break down dead plant and animal material in the soil. Carbon is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and partly retained as soil humus.

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