How is the ocean a reservoir for carbon? How is the carbon dioxide able to re-enter oceanic and
atmospheric cycles? What will be an ideal response?
ANS:Answer
should include:
? The ocean acts as a reservoir for carbon dioxide because it is able to store large amounts
of it. There is a high theoretical maximum for carbon dioxide which is not reached in the
ocean. There is 60 times the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean than there is in the
atmosphere.
? Carbon dioxide is highly soluble in water. It can move from the atmosphere to the ocean
quite quickly, but is slower in moving from the ocean to the atmosphere.
? Marine photosynthesis can quickly use carbon dioxide that enters the water.
? Carbon dioxide can re-enter ocean and atmosphere cycles via a few processes.
Sediments can dissolve back into the water. This can happen because of the pH levels in
an area. Geological uplift can expose carbonate rocks to oxygen reactions above water.
These reactions can release the carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Acid rain
achieves the same result when hitting limestone sediments.
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