Carbon & Water as Life-support
- The water and carbon cycles interact directly
- Volcanic eruptions transfer water and carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere
- Water has the ability to absorb and transfer CO2
- Water transports weathered material and organic matter, (containing carbon) from land to the oceans as part of the carbon cycle and ocean acidification
- Calcium carbonate in the ocean is used for coral, shell and skeletal formation by marine animals
- Changes in atmospheric carbon concentrations affect water cycling and precipitation patterns
- Photosynthesis and respiration transfer carbon and water between the biosphere and the atmosphere
- Evapotranspiration increases with higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
- Changes in the carbon cycle are melting parts of the cryosphere (permafrost), releasing more carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere
- Ecosystems play a key role in carbon cycling and the availability of moisture for plant and animal distribution and growth is important
- Limits of water, reduce plant growth; limited plant growth reduces carbon cycling and transfer of nutrients to the soil; lack of nutrients and water exposes soil erosion; soil erosion can lead to desertification
The water and carbon cycle interaction, note the absorption and transfer of carbon by water
In the atmosphere
- When CO2 atmospheric concentration levels increase, air temperature increases too
- This raises ocean temperatures and evaporation rates increase transferring more water vapour into the atmosphere
- This amplifies the greenhouse effect
- Water vapour contributes more to the overall natural greenhouse effect than CO2
- Water vapour in the atmosphere is controlled by levels of atmospheric CO2
- The natural greenhouse effect is generated through concentration levels of:
- 20% carbon dioxide
- 8% trace gases and aerosols
- 17% clouds
- 55% water vapour
- Hydro and halo carbons are industrial gases and contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect
