AOS Practice Questions
Q: If CO2 emissions are leveling off, should the atmospheric CO2 concentration stabilize? Yes or No -
Answer-No, because although our emission rates are stabilizing, we are still contributing an increase of
CO2 into the atmosphere.
We can stabilize our rate of increase but we will be a stable amount in every year.
Why is the annual minimum CO2 concentration in the atmosphere reached in October each year? -
Answer-Because respiration of plants becomes stronger than photosynthesis in the northern
hemisphere at that time
Think of it as the build up before the transition to photosynthesis, the peak of all the CO2 being
absorbed in plants.
Are global carbon sinks balanced? - Answer-It always has to be balanced
*where they go is another story
Which sink takes up the most CO2 - Answer-the atmosphere at 45%
Name the carbon sinks and their percentages - Answer-Atmosphere: 45% (4.5 GtC)
Ocean: 25% (2.6 GtC)
Land biosphere 30% (3.1 GtC)
All adds up to 10.3 GtC
, Name the two types of carbon uptake by the ocean - Answer-1.physical/solubility pump
2. biological pump
Describe the physical/solubility pump - Answer-CO2 dissolves in sea water, then hydrated to form
carbonic acid, then reacts to carbonate ions, ultimately making H+ (which is acidic)
results in ocean acidification.
What's significant about the Dave Keeling graph? - Answer-Showed human-induced increase in
atmospheric CO2 concentration.
*We are permanently at 400 ppm
*pre-industrial = 280 ppm
We are expected to go up 2 degrees Celsius with the doubling of CO2
Main types of fossil fuels - Answer-1. Oil
2. Coal
3. Natural Gas (methane)
Major gases in our atmosphere - Answer-Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Argon - 1%
Q: If CO2 emissions are leveling off, should the atmospheric CO2 concentration stabilize? Yes or No -
Answer-No, because although our emission rates are stabilizing, we are still contributing an increase of
CO2 into the atmosphere.
We can stabilize our rate of increase but we will be a stable amount in every year.
Why is the annual minimum CO2 concentration in the atmosphere reached in October each year? -
Answer-Because respiration of plants becomes stronger than photosynthesis in the northern
hemisphere at that time
Think of it as the build up before the transition to photosynthesis, the peak of all the CO2 being
absorbed in plants.
Are global carbon sinks balanced? - Answer-It always has to be balanced
*where they go is another story
Which sink takes up the most CO2 - Answer-the atmosphere at 45%
Name the carbon sinks and their percentages - Answer-Atmosphere: 45% (4.5 GtC)
Ocean: 25% (2.6 GtC)
Land biosphere 30% (3.1 GtC)
All adds up to 10.3 GtC
, Name the two types of carbon uptake by the ocean - Answer-1.physical/solubility pump
2. biological pump
Describe the physical/solubility pump - Answer-CO2 dissolves in sea water, then hydrated to form
carbonic acid, then reacts to carbonate ions, ultimately making H+ (which is acidic)
results in ocean acidification.
What's significant about the Dave Keeling graph? - Answer-Showed human-induced increase in
atmospheric CO2 concentration.
*We are permanently at 400 ppm
*pre-industrial = 280 ppm
We are expected to go up 2 degrees Celsius with the doubling of CO2
Main types of fossil fuels - Answer-1. Oil
2. Coal
3. Natural Gas (methane)
Major gases in our atmosphere - Answer-Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Argon - 1%
