A grass snake living in northern England dies of natural causes. After a long pe

Question

A grass snake living in northern England dies of natural causes. After a long period of time, its remains decay in the soil to become fossil fuel. When the fossil fuel is processed, sold, and burned by humans, it releases carbon dioxide into the air. Which aspect of this scenario shows a carbon source becoming a carbon sink? 1-burning of the fossil fuel 2-decaying of the snake’s remains 3-dead snake fossilizing underground 4-respiration by the snake and humans 5-humans processing and selling the fuel

Explanation / Answer

Answer 3. Dead snake fossilizing underground: Carbon sinks are the natural or artificial reservoirs which absorbs and stores carbon in the form of chemical compound for an indefinite period of time. Some of the natural carbon sinks are the photosynthesis in the terrestrial plants and absorption of carbon dioxide by the oceans whereas the artificial carbon sinks are land fill sites. In this scenario, when the dead snake is fossilized underground it stores the carbon dioxide within the soil. In this scenario the soil acts as a carbon sink. Whereas in all other scenarios like burning of fossil fuels, respiration by snake and humans, human processing and selling the fuels, decaying of the snake's remains the carbon dioxide is released so they act as the carbon source not the carbon sink.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.