LIFE SCIENCE

OBJECTIVE LIFE SCIENCE

ECOLOGY

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
A carbon “sink” is best described as:
A
a reservoir that readily releases carbon to another reservoir
B
a carbon reservoir that stores more carbon that it is releasing
C
something that causes carbon to leak out to the atmosphere
D
a carbon reservoir that is releasing more carbon than it is taking in
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases – for example, plants, the ocean and soil. In contrast, a carbon source is anything that releases more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs – for example, the burning of fossil fuels or volcanic eruptions.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ocean plays a critical role in carbon storage, as it holds about 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere. Two-way carbon exchange can occur quickly between the ocean’s surface waters and the atmosphere, but carbon may be stored for centuries at the deepest ocean depths.

Detailed explanation-3: -A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores the atmosphere’s carbon with physical and biological mechanisms. Coal, oil, natural gases, methane hydrate and limestone are all examples of carbon sinks.

Detailed explanation-4: -Explanation: A carbon sink is growing in size and storing more carbon compared to a carbon source which is shrinking in size and releasing more carbon. Carbon sources include emissions from burning fossil fuels, forest fires, and respiration. Carbon sinks include the oceans, plants, and soil.

There is 1 question to complete.