EESA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Great Lakes Areas Of Concern, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Human Waste
Document Summary
Producers pull co2 from atmosphere and surface water for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis breaks bonds in co2 and h2o producing o2 and carbs(glucose) Autotrophs use some carbs to fuel own respiration + release some carbon back into atmosphere and oceans as co2. Producers eaten by primary consumers then secondary consumers; more carbs broken down producing co2 and water: decomposers consume waste + dead organic matter. Sedimentary rock largest single reservoir in carbon cycle: eventually released into ocean/atmosphere. Via tectonic uplift, volcanic eruptions, or burning of fossil fuels: ocean is second largest reservoir in carbon cycle, ocean absorb carbon from many sources. Terrestrial runoff: undersea volcanoes, waste and detritus of marine organisms, carbon atoms absorbed in many forms, carbon dioxide: co2, carbonate ions: co3^2- Bibarconate ions: hco3: calcium carbonate: caco3(combined with calcium, key ingredient in skeletons and shells. 2. 3-2. 6 billion metric tons of unaccounted carbon dioxide every year: believe its from plants or soil. Nitrogen: nitrogen makes up 78% of atmosphere by mass.