The Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect
Influential Greenhouse Gases: For each of the following, list WHAT they are, WHERE they
are found and HOW they affect climate
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): is a colorless odorless gas. It is found in the atmosphere and seawater. It affect the environment because its a green house gas.
Methane (CH4):
What: odorless nontoxic gas
Where:wetlands, swamps and marshes, termites, and oceans
How: It is a green house gases and is broken down in the atmosphere
Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
What: Colorless non-flammable gas
Where:Oceans, rainforests, fertilizers
How: It is a greenhouse gas and it is broken down in the atmosphere by chemical reactions driven by sunligt
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6):
What: extremely potent greenhouse gas
Where: electric power industry
How: It stays in the atmosphere for more than a thousand years meaning a small amount can affect the climate
Draw a diagram and label to EXPLAIN the greenhouse effect:
The greenhouse effect is a process that warms the atmosphere due to the absorption of radiation from the greenhouse gases.
are found and HOW they affect climate
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): is a colorless odorless gas. It is found in the atmosphere and seawater. It affect the environment because its a green house gas.
Methane (CH4):
What: odorless nontoxic gas
Where:wetlands, swamps and marshes, termites, and oceans
How: It is a green house gases and is broken down in the atmosphere
Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
What: Colorless non-flammable gas
Where:Oceans, rainforests, fertilizers
How: It is a greenhouse gas and it is broken down in the atmosphere by chemical reactions driven by sunligt
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6):
What: extremely potent greenhouse gas
Where: electric power industry
How: It stays in the atmosphere for more than a thousand years meaning a small amount can affect the climate
Draw a diagram and label to EXPLAIN the greenhouse effect:
The greenhouse effect is a process that warms the atmosphere due to the absorption of radiation from the greenhouse gases.
Explain how the Carbon Cycle is involved in global climate change:
The carbon cycle contributes the most to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect heats the climate.
What are Carbon SOURCES and SINKS?
Carbon source: any activity that emits carbon dioxide
Sinks: an environment that absorbs carbon dioxide.
How does deforestation increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere? Explain.
Trees in the forests take in CO2 and release oxygen. If there were no more trees, less carbon dioxide is being converted.
How do the oceans absorb excess CO2 from the atmosphere and how does this affect the
oceans?
The oceans have a high solubility and when the water reacts with CO2 it turns into carbonic acid.
Explain how the industrial revolution has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere
The fossil fuels release carbon dioxide. The industrial revolution required a lot of fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide heated up the atmosphere.
According to the graph, which country is the biggest contributor to global carbon emissions
worldwide?
China
The carbon cycle contributes the most to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect heats the climate.
What are Carbon SOURCES and SINKS?
Carbon source: any activity that emits carbon dioxide
Sinks: an environment that absorbs carbon dioxide.
How does deforestation increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere? Explain.
Trees in the forests take in CO2 and release oxygen. If there were no more trees, less carbon dioxide is being converted.
How do the oceans absorb excess CO2 from the atmosphere and how does this affect the
oceans?
The oceans have a high solubility and when the water reacts with CO2 it turns into carbonic acid.
Explain how the industrial revolution has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere
The fossil fuels release carbon dioxide. The industrial revolution required a lot of fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide heated up the atmosphere.
According to the graph, which country is the biggest contributor to global carbon emissions
worldwide?
China