Question

1. which carbon sinks showed the biggest increase? please explain why we would see that increase following the industrial revolution. 2. which showed the biggest decrease, please explain why we might see that decrease following the industrial revolution? 3. please write an overall summary that explains how humans have changed the carbon cycle on earth? in other words, how have humans changed the amounts of carbon in the different “sinks”.

Explanation:

1. During the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil - fuels (coal, oil, gas) for energy in factories, transportation, etc. increased significantly. Fossil fuels are carbon - rich, and their combustion releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus increasing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere which is a major carbon - sink change.
2. The Industrial Revolution led to deforestation as more land was cleared for agriculture to feed the growing urban population and for industrial expansion. Trees are important carbon - sinks as they absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Deforestation reduces the number of trees, decreasing the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and increasing the carbon in the atmosphere.
3. Humans have changed the carbon cycle on Earth by altering the natural balance between carbon sources and sinks. Through industrial activities and land - use changes, we have increased the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and disrupted the natural flow of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and biosphere.

Answer:

1. The main reason for the increase in carbon sinks during the Industrial Revolution is the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Fossil fuel combustion releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide.
2. The decrease in carbon sinks during the Industrial Revolution is mainly due to deforestation which reduces the capacity of forests to absorb carbon dioxide.
3. Humans have changed the amounts of carbon in different "sinks" by burning fossil fuels (increasing atmospheric carbon) and deforestation (reducing the land - based carbon - absorbing capacity), thus disrupting the natural carbon cycle.