Question

Describe some human activity that results in fluxes of carbon to the atmosphere. Describe human activity that results in movement of carbon from the atmosphere to the land. How do these changes compare to other fluxes in the Carbon cycle and why are they causing an imbalance to the global carbon cycle?

Answer 1

a) Fossil fuels are formed from dead plants and animals,i.e., organic matter, and thus contain large amounts of carbon stored in them. Burning of fossil fuels by human releases this carbon into the atmosphere, and thus results in a flux of carbon.

b) Increased concentrations of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of burning of fossil fuels increases the amount of carbonic acid present in the air, which precipitates along with rain. This acid results in weathering of rock, which releases ions from them(calcium ions). In the oceans, these ions combine with bicarbonate ions to form calcium carbonate,which makes up limestone. This is how carbon moves from atmosphere to land.

c) There exists a cycle in which the total carbon pool is continuouslt recycled from one form to another, thus maintaning a balance. Carbon is continuoulsy transferrred from land to air and vice versa. Generally, fluxes of carbon are designed in a way that each form is present at an otpimal amount. However, human activities like deforestation, burning of fossil fuels , etc. release a large amount of carbon into the atmosphere, which is beyond the capacity of the carbon cycle. This results in an imbalance of carbon, and leads to issues like global warming, acid rain. etc.