earth's carbon sinks and sources
DESCRIPTION
Illustration of how increasing manmade carbon pollution affects the Earth's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.TRANSCRIPT
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Prior to the industrial revolution the planet was able to absorb greenhouse gases emitted by natural sources
VOLCANOES FIRESFORESTS OCEANSOCEANSLAKES & STREAMS
Natural CO2 Sinks
(Absorb CO2 from atmosphere)
Natural CO2 Emitters
(Release CO2 into atmosphere)
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• Natural greenhouse gases: primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor
• Main industrial greenhouse gas is CO2 from burning (combus@on) coal, oil and gas
• Coal has the highest carbon content of all fossil fuels
• CO2 from coal burning contributed slightly over 28% to atmospheric greenhouse gases in 2010. (hGp://www.c2es.org/energy/source/coal)
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When we built dams and drained lakes and streams we eliminated a natural CO2 sink.
VOLCANOES FIRESFORESTS OCEANSOCEANS
Natural CO2 Sinks
(Absorb CO2 from atmosphere)
Natural CO2 Emitters
(Release CO2 into atmosphere)
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CO2 is more soluble in fresh water than in salt water, but, by volume, lakes and streams are less effec@ve sinks than are oceans and rainforests.
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After the industrial revolution we began to add excess carbon pollution into our atmosphere
primarily by burning coal and oil.
FORESTS OCEANSOCEANS VOLCANOES FIRESCARBON EMISSIONS
CO2 CO2
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The commonly accepted onset of the Industrial Revolu@on is around 1850. That is when humans began to burn fossil fuels to generate power to drive machinery. (hGp://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/[email protected]
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Deforestation leaves the oceans as the major carbon sink.
OCEANSOCEANS VOLCANOES FIRESCARBON EMISSIONS
CO2 CO2
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“Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. …Deforesta@on undermines this important carbon sink. It is es@mated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforesta@on.”(hGp://worldwildlife.org/threats/deforesta@on)
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Vehicle emissions continue to add to the stress on the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2.
Excess CO2 is making our oceans acidic.
OCEANSOCEANS VOLCANOES FIRESCARBON EMISSIONSAUTOMOBILES
CO2 CO2
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Ocean acidifica@on: • hGp://www.unc.edu/~lbuckley/GCE/uploads/Main/Doney%20et%20al%202009.pdf
• The oceans are Earth’s last, great defense against carbon pollu@on and they are being stressed—becoming warmer and acidic.
• Contrary to early popular beliefs, the oceans are not limitless.