Carbon Cycle: Processes & Impacts — GCSE Geography Revision
Revise Carbon Cycle: Processes & Impacts for GCSE Geography. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
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Go to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)What is Carbon Cycle: Processes & Impacts?
The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is stored and transferred between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. Key stores include the atmosphere, oceans, and sedimentary rocks, while key processes include photosynthesis (which absorbs CO2), respiration (which releases CO2), combustion, and decomposition. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are adding huge amounts of extra carbon to the atmosphere, disrupting the natural balance of the cycle and driving climate change.
Board notes: The carbon cycle is a more advanced topic, often appearing in more detail in the A-Level specifications, but its basic principles are relevant to the climate change topic at GCSE for all boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). Understanding the role of human activity in disrupting the cycle is key.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
The role of deforestation in the carbon cycle: Trees are a major carbon store (a 'sink'). When a forest is cut down and burned (slash and burn agriculture), the carbon stored in the trees is rapidly released into the atmosphere as CO2. Furthermore, the removal of the trees means they are no longer able to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. This means deforestation is a double blow, both adding CO2 to the atmosphere and reducing the Earth's capacity to absorb it.
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Common mistakes
- 1Thinking that carbon is a bad thing. Carbon is an essential element for all life on Earth. The problem is not carbon itself, but the excess amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is causing the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- 2Forgetting about the role of the oceans. The oceans are a massive carbon sink, having absorbed about a third of the extra CO2 emitted by humans. However, this is causing ocean acidification, which threatens marine ecosystems like coral reefs.
- 3Ignoring natural sources of carbon. While human activity is the main driver of recent change, natural events like volcanic eruptions and wildfires also release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Carbon Cycle: Processes & Impacts exam questions
Exam-style questions for Carbon Cycle: Processes & Impacts with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Carbon Cycle: Processes & Impacts
Core concept
The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is stored and transferred between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. Key stores include the atmosphere, oceans, and sedimentary rocks, …
Frequently asked questions
What is a carbon sink?
A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon from the atmosphere. The main natural carbon sinks are forests, soils, and the oceans.
What is ocean acidification?
Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This makes it harder for marine organisms like corals and shellfish to form their shells and skeletons.