the carbon cycle
DESCRIPTION
THE CARBON CYCLE. What Is Carbon?. An element The basis of life on earth Present in rocks, oceans and atmosphere. Carbon Cycle. Carbon is cycled between the earth and the atmosphere. Plants Use Carbon Dioxide. Plants pull carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and use it to make food - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
THE CARBON CYCLE
What Is Carbon?An element
The basis of life on earth
Present in rocks, oceans and atmosphere
Carbon CycleCarbon is cycled between the earth and the
atmosphere
Plants Use Carbon DioxidePlants pull carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
atmosphere and use it to make food
The carbon becomes part of the plant (stored food)
Animals Eat PlantsWhen organisms consume plants, they take in
the carbon and some of it becomes part of their own bodies.
Decomposition of Plants and Animals
When plants and animals die, most of their bodies are decomposed and carbon atoms are returned to the atmosphere.
Some are not decomposed fully and end up in deposits underground as fossil fuels (oil, coal, etc.).
Carbon Slowly Returns to Atmosphere
Carbon found in rocks and underground deposits is released very slowly into the atmosphere
The result is that carbon on earth is found in some active pools and some relatively inactive pools, depending on the rate at which it cycles in and out.
Carbon Cycle DiagramCarbon in Atmosphere
Plants use carbon to make food
Animals eat plants and
take in carbon
Plants and animals die
Decomposers break down dead things,
releasing carbon to
atmosphere andsoil
Bodies not decomposed —
after many years, become part of oil or coal deposits
Fossil fuels are burned; carbon is
returned to atmosphere
Carbon slowly released from
these substances returns to
atmosphereActive compartments are denoted in red
Carbon in OceansCarbon is also stored in the ocean.
Carbon is found in the form of calcium carbonate in the shell of aquatic species.
When animals die, carbon substances are deposited at the bottom of oceans.
Oceans contain earth’s largest reservoir of carbon.
The Carbon Cycle
Human ImpactThe release of carbon in fossil fuels is very slow
Burning releases additional carbon into atmosphere — especially fossil fuels
Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global warming
Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from atmosphere