SCI1300 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Biological Pump, Methanogenesis
14 Sep 2018
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Document Summary
The planet has natural recycling system for essential elements e. g. carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous. The ultimate source of carbon is the solid earth. Rate of transfer from solid earth is very slow which consumption by life is very fast, so life needs to recycle carbon. Measured in gigatons (1 billion tons = 1012 kg) Size of a reservoir is measured by the weight of carbon atoms only in the reservoir. The amount of carbon flowing into or out of a reservoir in a given time. Measured in gigatons of carbon per year (gt(c)/year) If inflow fluxes=outflow fluxes, the amount of material in the reservoir remains constant. This is known as the steady state. Estimate of the amount of time carbon spends in the reservoir. Calculated by the amount of carbon in the reservoir divided by the amount leaving. Atmospheric co2 is converted to organic carbon by primary producers. Co2 + h2o + light carbohydrates + o2.
