In Unit 3 we learned about the carbon cycle and climate change. Carbon is everywhere on Earth and is constantly flowing between reservoirs. As we continue to increase our CO2 emissions through human activities, we are disrupting the carbon cycle creating more severe consequences.%0D%0A%0D%0AUsing the data below that was obtained by a student in the 3.06 Carbon Cycle Changes lab portfolio, discuss why one carbon reservoir has changed from the pre-industrial era to today. What caused these changes?%0D%0A%0D%0A
To analyze the changes in a carbon reservoir from the pre-industrial era to today, we need to examine the data obtained from the 3.06 Carbon Cycle Changes lab portfolio, which unfortunately is not provided in the given text. Without the specific data, it is challenging to pinpoint the exact changes in a particular carbon reservoir. However, we can still discuss potential reasons for the changes based on general knowledge of the carbon cycle and its interactions with human activities.
One significant change that has occurred in the carbon cycle since the pre-industrial era is the increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. This increase is primarily attributed to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production, industrial processes, and transportation.
The combustion of these fossil fuels releases large amounts of CO2, which is then released into the atmosphere. Prior to the industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels was minimal, and the atmosphere maintained a relatively stable CO2 concentration.
As human activities expanded, particularly in the industrialized world, the demand for energy grew exponentially. Consequently, the burning of fossil fuels increased dramatically, leading to a significant rise in CO2 emissions. This release of large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere disrupts the carbon cycle by adding extra carbon that would have otherwise remained stored in the Earth's carbon reservoirs, such as forests, oceans, and soils.
By disturbing this balance, the increased CO2 emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat in the atmosphere and causing global warming. These rising temperatures, in turn, impact various aspects of the carbon cycle, including carbon absorption by oceans and forests.
For instance, increased temperatures can disrupt the functioning of marine ecosystems, affecting the ability of phytoplankton to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. Additionally, warmer temperatures can lead to an increased decomposition of organic matter in soils, releasing more carbon back into the atmosphere.
Furthermore, deforestation, another human activity linked to the increase in CO2 emissions, directly affects the carbon cycle as well. Forests act as crucial carbon sinks, absorbing and storing significant amounts of carbon through photosynthesis. However, deforestation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as trees are cut down and burned or decompose.
In summary, the changes in carbon reservoirs in the carbon cycle from the pre-industrial era to today are primarily caused by the increased burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities that release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. These disruptions in the carbon cycle contribute to the imbalance of the natural carbon fluxes, leading to more severe consequences such as climate change.