Question

carbon sinks absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release. carbon sources release more carbon into the atmosphere than they take in.
classify each process as a carbon source or a carbon sink.
burning fossil fuels ocean uptake photosynthesis volcanic activity
carbon source
carbon sink

Explanation:

• Burning fossil fuels: Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (e.g., coal, oil, gas combustion), so it is a carbon source.
• Ocean uptake: Oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (dissolving \(CO_2\) in water), so it is a carbon sink.
• Photosynthesis: Plants take in carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\) is used as a reactant in the process \(6CO_2 + 6H_2O

ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2\)) to produce glucose and oxygen, so it is a carbon sink.

• Volcanic activity: Releases carbon - containing gases (e.g., \(CO_2\)) into the atmosphere, so it is a carbon source.

Answer:

• Carbon source: Burning fossil fuels, Volcanic activity
• Carbon sink: Ocean uptake, Photosynthesis