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What is the carbon ‘turnover time’ or ‘residence time’ for:The atmosphereThe deep oceansShow your work and explain what each one means in more laymen’s terms. Don’t forget units.

1 Answer

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Answer:

carbon residence time in the atmosphere = 3.5 year

and net flow of atmosphere is +4 Gt per year

carbon residence time in the deep sea is 357.8 years.

and net flow of the ocean is +3 Gt per year

Step-by-step explanation:

turnover time

when average time spent on carbon is the reservoir known as its turnover or residence time.

as Increasing in carbon dioxide level in atmosphere it also increase insulation and adversely affect the health of atmosphere which contribute to global warming

so to get residence time we will divide the total flux by number of gigaton of carbon in single reservoir.

as in atmosphere case

total carbon atoms is 750 Gt

and total flux is 215 Gt

(110 Gt from sea and 110 Gt from Earth's surface / Earth).

Above 750 Gt divide 215 Gt / yr

carbon residence time in the atmosphere = 3.5 year

and net flow of atmosphere is +4 Gt per year

and

as total amount of carbon in deep seawater = 38000 g

so time for Carbon in the deep sea = 38000 Gt ÷ 106.2 Gt / year

time = 357.8 years

so carbon residence time in the deep sea is 357.8 years.

and net flow of the ocean is +3 Gt per year

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