Carbon flux

Carbon Flux is the process by which carbon moves between different reservoirs on Earth. This includes the atmosphere, biosphere, ocean, and geosphere. The movement of carbon is driven by various biological, geological, and chemical processes, which together form the carbon cycle.

Overview

Carbon flux is a key component of the Earth's climate system. It is influenced by human activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation, which increase the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Biological Carbon Flux

In the biosphere, carbon flux is primarily driven by photosynthesis and respiration. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter. This process is known as carbon sequestration. During respiration, plants and animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Geological Carbon Flux

In the geosphere, carbon flux occurs through the process of weathering, erosion, and sedimentation. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reacts with minerals in rocks to form carbonates, which are then transported to the ocean by rivers. Over long geological timescales, these carbonates are buried in ocean sediments and eventually returned to the atmosphere through volcanic activity.

Chemical Carbon Flux

In the ocean, carbon flux is driven by the solubility pump and the biological pump. The solubility pump refers to the process by which carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in the ocean. The biological pump refers to the process by which organic matter in the ocean sinks to deeper layers, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

Human Impact

Human activities have significantly altered the carbon flux. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. Efforts to mitigate this include reducing fossil fuel use, promoting reforestation, and developing technologies for carbon capture and storage.

See Also

• Carbon cycle
• Global warming
• Carbon sequestration
• Carbon capture and storage