A grass snake living in northern England dies of natural causes. After a long period of time, its remains decay in the soil to become fossil fuel. When the fossil fuel is processed, sold, and burned by humans, it releases carbon dioxide into the air. Which aspect of this scenario shows a carbon source becoming a carbon sink?

A.
burning of the fossil fuel
B.
decaying of the snake’s remains
C.
dead snake fossilizing underground
D.
respiration by the snake and humans
E.
humans processing and selling the fuel

Form Google:

car·bon sink, noun: carbon sink; plural noun: carbon sinks
a forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The aspect of this scenario that shows a carbon source becoming a carbon sink is option C: dead snake fossilizing underground.

To understand why option C represents a carbon sink, let's break down the process step by step:

1. The grass snake dies of natural causes in northern England.
2. Over time, its remains decay in the soil, releasing some carbon back into the atmosphere as decay occurs. This decay process acts as a carbon source.
3. However, if the snake's remains are buried underground and subjected to specific conditions, such as high pressure and heat over millions of years, they can eventually transform into fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas. This process is known as fossilization.
4. Once the dead snake fossilizes underground, it becomes a carbon sink because the carbon from its remains is now stored within the fossil fuel. This means that the carbon is effectively removed from the carbon cycle and locked away within the Earth's crust.
5. If the fossil fuel is then processed, sold, and burned by humans (option E), it does release carbon dioxide into the air, acting as a carbon source once again. This step releases the carbon that was previously stored within the fossil fuel, returning it to the atmosphere.

Therefore, option C represents the carbon source (decomposed remains of the snake) becoming a carbon sink (the snake's remains being fossilized underground).

I think this might be a select all that apply question