Question

determine whether each statement is true or false. much more carbon moves through the fast processes of the carbon cycle each year than through the slow processes of the carbon cycle. if the concentration of h+ ions in ocean water increases, the oceans can become more acidic. this may cause the shells and exoskeletons of some marine organisms to dissolve. processes that store carbon underground, such as limestone formation and coal formation, occur much faster than processes that release carbon, like volcanic activity and fossil fuel combustion. the ca2+ and co32 - ions that many marine organisms use to build caco3 - based shells and exoskeletons primarily enter the oceans via gas exchange.

Explanation:

1. In the carbon - cycle, fast processes like respiration and photosynthesis move much more carbon each year compared to slow processes like sedimentation and fossil - fuel formation, so the first statement is true.
2. An increase in \(H^+\) ions in ocean water means a decrease in pH, making the ocean more acidic. Acidic conditions can dissolve the calcium - carbonate based shells and exoskeletons of some marine organisms, so the second statement is true.
3. Processes that store carbon underground such as limestone and coal formation occur over long geological timescales, much slower than processes that release carbon like volcanic activity and fossil - fuel combustion, so the third statement is false.
4. The \(Ca^{2 +}\) and \(CO_3^{2-}\) ions that marine organisms use to build \(CaCO_3\) - based shells and exoskeletons primarily enter the oceans via weathering of rocks on land and runoff, not gas exchange, so the fourth statement is false.

Answer:

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False