Carbon Cycle Lab
You will experiment with how humans affect the cycle and what could happen between now
and 2100.
Access the Carbon Cycle Simulator below to complete this lab activity.
https://www.learner.org/series/the-habitable-planet-a-systems-approach-to-environmental-science/carbon-lab/
Pay attention to the atmospheric CO2 levels as you adjust the variables between the
atmosphere, the biosphere, oceans, and the crust. This model is similar to models presented
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Between the years 1850 and
2006, atmospheric concentrations have risen from 290 parts per million (ppm) to over 380 ppm
- a level higher than any known measurement on Earth in more than 30 million years.
Carbon Cycle Step 1
Click “Step 1” or Review:
Run the simulation to 2110 with the default settings. You will need to click the Run Decade
button to move the simulation forward 10 years
As you click through, make sure you record data on gaseous and sink carbon for the years
2010, 2060 and 2110.
Step 1 Data
Lesson 1:
Step 1
Gaseous Carbon
Ocean Water
Fossil Fuels
Biosphere Gaseous Carbon
To Year
Atmosphere
Ocean Surface
Deep Ocean
Oil and Gas
Coal
Soil
Terrestrial Plants
2010
(720) 391 ppm CO2
1000+0
38000+0
500
3500
1800+200
700
2060
(1105) 610 ppm CO2
1000+123
38000+270
0
3114
1800+242
766
2110
(2502) 1381 ppm CO2
1000+383
38000+1348
0
0
1800+378
950
Step 1 Analysis
•
If only one half of the flora in the world existed in 2100 (perhaps due to
deforestation), what do you predict the atmospheric carbon level would be? How would
you change the simulation to reflect this?
For plant to get their desire nutrition they need the process called photosynthesis. Where it
needs the CO2 in the air as a food source which in turn lowers the amount of CO2 that is left in
the atmosphere. When half of the flors exist in the world you are then increasing the
atmospheric amount. When being reflected in the simulation you will need to reset the
Deforestation counter.
•
What is the relationship between increased carbon in the ocean and
increased carbon in the soil? How else might carbon be transferred to soil?
This is like a direct correlation when you increase carbon in the ocean in turn carbon will also
increase in the soil. It can also be transfers by water runoff and fertilizers.
•
Using the data generated by the simulation, determine the mathematical
relationship between the percentage increase in fossil fuel consumption and the
increase in atmospheric carbon. Is the relationship linear?
The relationship is in fact not linear. Every 100 years we have a 2.5% increase of fossil fuel
with a decrease of 83%. While the atmospheric carbon sprockets to 68%.
Carbon Cycle Step 2
Click “Step 2” or Review:
To find out where all the carbon really goes, run the simulation again, this time recording one
decade at a time.
Record the total amount of carbon in the atmosphere and other carbon sinks.
Note that 1 ppm of atmospheric CO2 is equivalent to 2.1 GT (Gigatons) of carbon. As you
record your data, keep in mind that this is a simulation of real life.
Step 2 Data
Lesson 1:
Step 2
Total Carbon Emissions
Gaseous Carbon
Ocean Water
Fossil Fuels
Biosphere Gaseous Carbon
To Year
Smokestack
Atmosphere
Ocean Surface
Deep Ocean
Oil and Gas
Coal
Soil
Terrestrial Plants
2010
390
720
1000+0
3800+0
500
3500
1800+200
700
2020
417
755
1000+36
38000+21
442
3456
1800+202
708
2030
450
815
1000+52
38000+58
368
3400
1800+208
719
2040
490
889
1000+71
38000+110
274
3328
1800+217
732
2050
550
983
1000+94
38000+180
153
3236
1800+228
747
2060
610
1105
1000+123
38000+270
0
3114
1800+242
766
2070
735
1332
1000+169
38000+389
0
2678
1800+259
791
2080
892
1616
1000+225
38000+552
0
2120
1800+281
824
2090
1097
1988
1000+289
763
0
1406
1800+309
864
2100
1370
2484
1000+364
38000+1030
0
491
1800+342
909
2110
1381
2502
1000+383
38000+1348
0
0
1800+378
950
Step 2 Analysis
•
What is the relationship between an increase in fossil fuel consumption
and increased carbon in terrestrial plants? How might this change flora populations?
What impact could twenty years at this level of consumption have on flora?
We see a positive impact especially for the flora population 20 years down the line. With an
increase in fossil fuel consumption and carbon in terrestrial plant we see a yield of a positive
relation between the two.
•
What is the relationship between an increase in total carbon concentration
(the smokestack) and increased carbon in the ocean surface? How might this change
marine life populations? What impact could fifty years at this level of emissions have on
marine fauna? On marine flora?
With an increase in carbon in both the ocean and concentration yield bad things for the health
of the atmosphere. With this increase the marine biology population will see changes 50 years
down the line.
•
In addition to circulating through the carbon cycle, where else might
excess carbon be found? In fifty years, where would you be most likely to see excess
carbon?
Carbon will be practically everywhere from the ocean, soil and even the atmosphere. In about
50 years we should have an excess fo carbon in the soils.
•
Which areas are most highly (and quickly) affected by an increase in
carbon emissions (and increase in fossil fuel consumption)? How would these effects
manifest themselves? What are the dangers/benefits to these areas?
Carbon effects mostly the atmosphere and soil. Carbon increasing in the atmosphere could
lead to making it harder of humans to breathe on earth. On the positive ends of thing we will
see plants grow since the temperature won’t be completely freezing.