Outline the process is by which natural variation in the carbon cycle occurs? (6 marks)
One natural variation in the carbon cycle is when there are free to magmatic and plinian volcanic eruptions. This will lead to a large increase in the magnitude of carbon in the atmosphere. This will reflect incoming solar radiation leading to a fall and surface temperatures. This can be evidenced in the 1816 Mount Tambora’s eruption, which led to the “year without summer”.
Another natural variation is wildfires. When lightning strikes areas of tinder dry vegetation, will lead to the combustion of vegetation. As a result, and increase in the store of carbon in the atmosphere. Therefore, in the long term will stimulate plant growth, leading to an increase in the size of their terrestrial plants store. This will lead to an increase in the rate of sequestration of carbon via photosynthesis, which would reduce the carbon in the atmosphere.