How Carbon Dioxide Decreased Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

How did the Earth's oceans form?

Water vapour released by volcanoes condensed as the Earth cooled.

How did the formation of the oceans reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide dissolved in the water and carbonates were precipitated, producing sediments.

Give three processes that decreased the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis by algae and plants, formation of sedimentary rocks, and formation of fossil fuels.

How were deposits of limestone formed?

From the shells and skeletons of marine organisms, which contain carbonates and were deposited as sediments on the sea bed.

How were deposits of coal formed?

From thick deposits of dead plant material that was buried and compressed, and did not decay fully.

How were crude oil and natural gas formed?

From layers of dead plankton (marine organisms) buried in mud on the sea bed, under high pressure and temperature.