Question
In the carbon cycle, carbon molecules are exchanged between the natural carbon reservoirs of rocks, soil, plants, fossil fuels, and the ocean. Which of the following is NOT an important exchange between two reservoirs?
A.
from the atmosphere to the hydrosphere, in which gaseous carbon dioxide dissolves into the oceans
B.
from the atmosphere to fossil fuels, in which gaseous carbon dioxide forms minerals at Earth's surface
C.
from the hydrosphere to fossil fuels, in which ocean sediments are compressed into rock on the ocean floor
D.
from fossil fuels to the atmosphere, in which emissions from cars and industry release gaseous carbon dioxide
A.
from the atmosphere to the hydrosphere, in which gaseous carbon dioxide dissolves into the oceans
B.
from the atmosphere to fossil fuels, in which gaseous carbon dioxide forms minerals at Earth's surface
C.
from the hydrosphere to fossil fuels, in which ocean sediments are compressed into rock on the ocean floor
D.
from fossil fuels to the atmosphere, in which emissions from cars and industry release gaseous carbon dioxide
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The option that is NOT an important exchange between two reservoirs in the carbon cycle is:
**B. from the atmosphere to fossil fuels, in which gaseous carbon dioxide forms minerals at Earth's surface**
This statement is misleading because gaseous carbon dioxide does not directly form fossil fuels; fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient organic matter (like plants and animals) that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, rather than from carbon dioxide reacting with minerals at the Earth's surface.
**B. from the atmosphere to fossil fuels, in which gaseous carbon dioxide forms minerals at Earth's surface**
This statement is misleading because gaseous carbon dioxide does not directly form fossil fuels; fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient organic matter (like plants and animals) that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, rather than from carbon dioxide reacting with minerals at the Earth's surface.