Climate

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Climate the Carbon Cycle

• Earth is a closed system. Carbon is not gained
  or lost, it just cycles through the different
  spheres (Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere
  Biosphere)
• Atmospheric CO2 is a GHG. It traps I.R. energy
  radiated from Earths surface temperatures
  increase.

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Climate Change Global Warming

• Global Warming Increase in air and ocean
  temperatures.
• Due to changes in Earths Energy Budget.

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Greenhouse Effect CO2

• Greenhouse Gases Gases that prevent I.R.
  wavelengths from Es surface from escaping to
  outer space.
• CO2 GHG

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Measuring Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere

• Ice Cores Gas bubbles trapped in ice are
  miniature atmospheres that can be studied.
• Measured directly from. Mauna Loa

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Carbon Dioxide Levels

• CO2 levels are determined from gas bubbles
  trapped in ice (Vostock Lake, Antarctica)
• Temperatures can be determined from 18O16O
  ratios.

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• CO2 levels are determined from gas bubbles
  trapped in ice (Vostock Lake, Antarctica)
• Temperatures can be determined from 18O16O
  ratios.

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Evidence of Global Warming Measured increases
in Carbon Dioxide Levels

• Modern CO2 levels measured at Mauna Loa
  Observatory, Hawaii

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Evidence of Global Warming Increasing Sea
Surface Temperatures Sea Level Rise
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Evidence of Global Warming Glacial Retreats
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Carbon Cycle Key Ideas Reservoirs a term used
to describe the compartments that contain carbon
in some form (e.g. atmosphere, soil, water, in
plants, etc) Photosynthesis CO2 from atmosphere
turned into sugar Respiration cells convert
sugars from food into CO2 Fossilization
processes involving extreme pressures that turn
various kinds of carbon into fossil fuels (coal,
crude oil, natural gas) Sedimentation material
settles to bottom of aquatic system Food Chain
carbon is transferred up the food chain as
animals consume plants and other animals.
Eventually, upon death, the carbon is returned to
soil and sediments. Volcanism volcanoes can
cycle carbon back to the atmosphere. As rock
melts to form magma, carbonate (CO3-2) is turned
into CO2 Chemical Weathering Carbon dioxide
from air dissolves in water to form carbonic
acid. Carbonic acid weathers rock
surfaces. Combustion fires or burning of fossil
fuels returns carbon to the atmosphere
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Atmospheric CO2
dissolving
CO2 Dissolved in Ocean
Carbon in Trees, Plants, Algae
Uplift Mt. Building exposes new rock
uptake
Carbonate (CaCO3) Rock (limestone)
Carbon in Fossil Fuels
Carbon in Animals
Carbonate (CaCO3) in shells, etc
Carbon in Sediment
Carbon in Soil
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fires
dissolving
Atmospheric CO2
CO2 Dissolved in Ocean
photosynthesis
Chemical weathering
Respiration
burning
volcanoes
Carbon in Trees, Plants, Algae
Respiration
Uplift/Mt. Buidling exposes new rock
Carbon in Fossil Fuels
uptake
Food Chain
Bacterial Respiration
Carbonate (CaCO3) Rock (limestone)
Carbon in Animals
fossilization
pressure
Carbonate (CaCO3) in shells, etc
Carbon in Sediment
Carbon in Soil
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Geosphere ? ? Atmosphere

• Volcanism ADDS CO2 to the atmosphere.
• Mt. Building the chemical weathering of new
  rock REMOVES CO2 from the atmosphere.

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Geosphere ? ? Atmosphere
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Atmosphere ? ? Hydrosphere ? Geosphere
Plankton settle to bottom of ocean floor.
Sediment layers become rock.
Dissolved CO2 used by plankton which die
CO2 gas
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Biosphere ? Geosphere

• Plankton use dissoved CO2 in water for
  photosynthesis.
• Plankton die (or are consumed/decomposed by other
  organisms, which die).
• Dead plankton bring carbon to the ocean floor
  where it will become ROCK.

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Warming or Cooling?

• Increased volcanism?
• Increase in mountain building weathering?
• Deforestation?
• Increased photosynthesis by marine plankton?
• Increased frequency of forest fires?
• Increased combustion of fossil fuels?
• Decreased volcanic activity
• Increased use of solar energy or wind power.

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Ways to Reduce atmospheric CO2?

• Reduced volcanism?
• Mountain building increased weathering?
• Increased photosynthesis?
• Increased absorption of CO2 by ocean?
• Changing land use (forests, urban areas, etc.)?
• Increase the amount or rate that carbon becomes
  rock?
• Decrease combustion of fossil fuels?

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Results of increased levels of CO2

• Increased atmospheric and sea surface
  temperature.
• Ice caps/glaciers melt.
• Flooding of coastal areas due to sea level rise.
• Droughts in some locations/increased productivity
  in others.
• Decrease in salinity of ocean water changes ocean
  circulation ( climate patterns).
• Ocean acidification (dissolved CO2 forms an acid
  in water) ? reef organisms dissolve
• Increase in insect borne (tropical) diseases
  (Malaria, etc.)
• Economic loses.

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• Results of Global Warming
• Flooding due to rise in sea level.
• Change in who grows food.
• Coral reefs die b/c acidification.

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