EcologyDeep Dive

Deep Dive: Why CO₂ is Increasing

Part of Carbon Cycle · GCSE GCSE Biology revision

This deep dive covers Deep Dive: Why CO₂ is Increasing within Carbon Cycle for GCSE Biology. Topic 3: Carbon Cycle It is section 4 of 11 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 4 of 11

Practice

26 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

🔬 Deep Dive: Why CO₂ is Increasing

Atmospheric CO₂ has increased by 50% since pre-industrial times (280 → 420 ppm). Why?

Burning fossil fuels — releases carbon stored for millions of years
Deforestation — fewer trees to absorb CO₂ + burning releases more
Draining peat bogs — exposes peat to oxygen, speeding decomposition

This extra CO₂ strengthens the greenhouse effect → global warming → climate change!

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Carbon Cycle. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Key Facts How It Works: How Carbon Moves Between the Atmosphere, Organisms, and Fossil Fuels Carbon's Endless Journey The Carbon Cycle — Tap or Play to Explore

Practice Questions for Carbon Cycle

Which process removes CO₂ from the atmosphere?

A. Respiration
B. Photosynthesis
C. Combustion
D. Decomposition

1 markfoundation

Explain how decomposers return carbon to the atmosphere.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

How does decomposition return carbon to the atmosphere?

Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down dead organisms. They respire, releasing CO₂ back into the atmosphere. Without decomposers, carbon would be locked in dead material forever.

What does the carbon cycle do?

The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon between the atmosphere (as CO₂), living organisms, the soil, and fossil fuels. Carbon is never created or destroyed — it is recycled.

26 questions on Carbon Cycle — practise free

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Key Facts

How It Works: How Carbon Moves Between the Atmosphere, Organisms, and Fossil Fuels