1
4 marks
Outline the process of decomposition in the carbon cycle.
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The Carbon Cycle (AQA A Level Geography): Exam Questions
Exam code: 7037
3 hours15 questions
2
4 marks
Explain how the extraction and burning of fossil fuels affects the carbon cycle.
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3
4 marks
Outline the processes involved in transferring carbon from the atmosphere to ocean stores.
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4
4 marks
Describe the main stores within the global carbon cycle.
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1
6 marks
Figure 2 shows a simplified version of Europe’s forest carbon cycle.
Figure 2
A simplified version of Europe’s forest carbon cycle
Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the implications of the data for attempts to manage carbon transfers.
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2
6 marks
Study Figure 2, which shows the 'estimated size of major global carbon stores between 1750 and 2020'.
Carbon Store | 1750 (GtC) | 2020 (GtC) | Change (GtC) |
|---|---|---|---|
Atmosphere | 590 | 860 | +270 |
Terrestrial (vegetation + soil) | 2,000 | 1,850 | −150 |
Surface ocean | 900 | 920 | +20 |
Deep ocean | 37,000 | 37,020 | +20 |
Lithosphere (fossil fuels) | 4,000 | 3,700 | −300 |
Source: Adapted from the Global Carbon Project and IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, 2021.
Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the challenges posed by changes in the size of global carbon stores.
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3
6 marks
Analyse the changes in annual deforestation rates in the Brazilian Legal Amazon shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Annual deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon, 1995–2023
Year | Annual deforestation (km²) |
|---|---|
1995 | 27,000 |
2004 | 27,800 |
2012 | 4,500 |
2019 | 10,100 |
2021 | 13,235 |
2023 | 5,800 |
Source: INPE PRODES annual deforestation monitoring, Brazilian Legal Amazon. Units: square kilometres of primary forest cleared per calendar year.
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4
6 marks
Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the challenges of changes to the global carbon system.
Figure 2: Global carbon budget — annual fluxes, 2010–2019 average
Carbon flow | Annual flux (GtC yr⁻¹) |
|---|---|
Fossil fuel and industry emissions | +9.5 |
Land-use change emissions (incl. deforestation) | +1.6 |
Ocean uptake (sink) | −2.5 |
Land uptake (sink: vegetation and soils) | −3.4 |
Net annual atmospheric increase | +5.2 |
Source: Adapted from Global Carbon Project (Friedlingstein et al., 2020). Positive values = carbon added to atmosphere; negative values = carbon removed. 1 GtC = 1 billion tonnes of carbon.
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5
6 marks
Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the implications of attempts to manage carbon transfers.
Figure 2: Estimated annual carbon transfers managed by leading mitigation strategies, global, 2020
Strategy | Annual carbon managed (GtCO₂ yr⁻¹) | Direction of transfer |
|---|---|---|
Renewable energy displacing fossil fuels | 2.6 | Avoided release: lithosphere → atmosphere |
Avoided deforestation (REDD+, forest codes) | 1.4 | Avoided release: biosphere → atmosphere |
Afforestation and reforestation | 0.9 | Active uptake: atmosphere → biosphere |
Soil carbon sequestration (agriculture) | 0.4 | Active uptake: atmosphere → pedosphere |
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) | 0.04 | Active uptake: atmosphere → lithosphere |
Source: Adapted from IPCC AR6 WG3 (2022) and IEA energy transition data. Values are global estimates, rounded for clarity.
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1
20 marks
Assess the impact of farming practices on the carbon budget.
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2
20 marks
Evaluate the extent to which human activities are responsible for changes in the water and carbon cycles.
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3
20 marks
With reference to a tropical rainforest that you have studied, evaluate attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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4
20 marks
Evaluate the potential impact of changes in the carbon budget on a tropical rainforest you have studied.
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5
20 marks
To what extent does an understanding of feedback systems in the carbon cycle help with attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change?
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6
20 marks
Evaluate the potential impact of changes in the carbon budget on a tropical rainforest that you have studied.
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