Carbon Cycle & Sequestration - Study Guide & Scientist Circle

Carbon Cycle & SequestrationANSWER KEY

Name: Period: Date:

1.Multiple sources contribute; CO2 is primary but not sole cause

2.Excess nutrients cause eutrophication and dead zones

3.Carbon cycle disruption: Deforestation has a double impact on atmospheric carbon — it releases stored carbon when trees are burned or decompose, AND it removes the photosynthetic capacity that would otherwise absorb future CO2 from the atmosphere.

[!] STUDY GUIDE: Big Ideas Use to answer form questions!

1.Carbon moves through Earth's reservoirs in bidirectional cycles. Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere exchange carbon constantly.

2.Photosynthesis removes CO2; respiration/decomposition returns it. Balance maintains healthy ecosystems.

3.Most carbon is stored underground, not in visible trees. Peatlands store 4x more carbon per hectare than tropical forests.

Atmosphere CO2 <-> Photosynthesis <-> Biomass <-> Decomposition <-> Soil/Ocean

CARBON CYCLE (connects to W1 acidification + W2 nutrients!)

[#] KEY TERMS Define in YOUR words

Carbon cycle

Movement of C through Earth systems

Sequestration

Long-term carbon storage

Photosynthesis

CO2 + H2O + light -> glucose + O2

Respiration

Glucose + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + energy

[?] THE PHENOMENON Write BEFORE Hook form

Where does all the carbon go when forests are cut down?

Every year, 10 million hectares of forest are cleared. A single large tree stores hundreds of kilograms of carbon. When the forest is cleared, where does all that carbon GO?

Your initial thinking:

[>] AFTER HOOK FORM Reflect, then continue +2 pts

I learned that...

TURN & TALK #1

"I predict the carbon goes to because ."

PARTNER'S PREDICTION:

Station 1 — Carbon Reservoirs

Most carbon is stored in...

Photosynthesis moves carbon by...

Key insight:

Station 2 — Sequestration Data

The data shows forests store...

Cutting forests releases carbon because...

Key insight:

TURN & TALK #2

"I was surprised that because I used to think ."

PARTNER'S SURPRISE:

COLD CALL Be ready to share what surprised YOUR PARTNER about carbon storage!

[/] DAY 1 EXIT TICKET Complete before leaving +5 pts

Q1:

Where is most of Earth's carbon stored? (Hint: it's not where you might think!)

Q2:

How does deforestation releasing CO2 connect to ocean acidification (W1)?

Confidence:

Still building Getting clearer Ready to explain

[=] Day 2 start

Station 3 — Human Impacts & Solutions

Fossil fuel burning affects the cycle by...

Solutions to increase sequestration include...

A tradeoff or challenge is...

Key insight:

[+] MAKING CONNECTIONS Use for Exit Ticket!

W1 ocean acidification: How does deforestation releasing carbon connect to ocean pH changes?

W2 eutrophication: How do both carbon and nutrient cycles affect ecosystem health?

[/] DAY 2 EXIT TICKET Final check before Science Circle +5 pts

Q1 (NEW):

Which process moves carbon FROM atmosphere INTO organisms? Explain how it works.

Q2 (SPIRAL):

How does the carbon cycle connect to ocean acidification (W1)?

Q3 (INTEGRATION):

Explain how fossil fuel burning AND deforestation both affect the ocean (two pathways).

CHECK TEST YOUR THINKING Rate each: FALSE ← 1–2–3–4–5 → TRUE

1. Trees are the largest carbon sink on Earth, storing more carbon than any other reservoir.

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2. When a forest is cut down, the stored carbon is released AND the ability to absorb future CO2 through photosynthesis is lost.

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3. Carbon only enters the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned — deforestation does not release carbon.

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4. Photosynthesis removes CO2 from the atmosphere, while respiration and decomposition return it — these processes must stay balanced.

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5. Planting new trees can immediately offset all the carbon released by cutting down old-growth forests.

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Pick any TWO statements — especially any you rated 2, 3, or 4. Justify your rating with evidence:

Statement #___ — I rated it ___ because:

[O] SCIENCE CIRCLE ~15 min | End of week +3 pts

[!] My "Aha!" Moment

[?] My Remaining Question

PRE-WRITE Silent | 2 min

Complete your "Aha!" and "Remaining Question" boxes above BEFORE discussing.

TURN & TALK

"My aha moment was because ."

LISTEN & RECORD: What was your partner's aha?

COLD CALL Be ready to share your PARTNER's thinking, not your own!

CLASS DISCOVERIES

[X] We used to think:

[OK] Now we understand:

[*] Something challenging I tried: