In the atmosphere of the earth, the major quantity of carbon is present in the form of carbon dioxide(CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ). The mantle and core of the earth have a grave quantity of carbon present in there, carbon from the lower mantle often leaks into the atmosphere by the volcanic activities.Ĭarbon Cycle in the Atmosphere of the Earth Sediments of limestone had stored a vast amount of carbon in them.Ī vast amount of the carbon is also trapped in the inner parts of the planet earth. Geosphere: The excessive carbon is trapped deep within the earth’s crust in the form of various sediments of minerals and fossil fuels. Oceanic Carbon Cycle: the creatures living in the oceans reserves a certain amount of carbon, and also the inorganic carbon dissolved in the waters and the carbon present at the surface of the oceans. The Terrestrial Biosphere: Carbon incorporated in the surface of the earth, by the living beings like plants and animals living on the earth’s surface are all included in this section. The Atmosphere: The carbon present in the atmosphere of earth in the form of CO 2. The major division of the global carbon cycle are. The global carbon cycle is divided into various parts which act as the reservoirs of carbon, which are interconnected by some pathways of exchange. The carbon cycle diagram below explains well the flow of carbon along different paths. These fossil fuels are then used for man-made activities, which pumps more carbon back to the atmosphere. Some of the carbon that’s not released back to the atmosphere eventually becomes fossil fuels. When the plants and animals die and they are decomposed, carbon is released back into the atmosphere. These plants are then consumed by animals, and carbon gets bio accumulated into their bodies. Diamond and graphite are the elemental forms of carbon and in a combined state, it is found as carbonates in minerals and as carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere.Ĭarbon cycle can be defined as the process where carbon compounds are interchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the earth.įollowing are the main steps that are involved in the process of the carbon cycle:Ĭarbon present in the atmosphere is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis. Scientists believe that humans have upset this balance by burning fossil fuels, which has added more carbon to the atmosphere than usual and led to climate change and global warming.Carbon cycle represents the movement of carbon in elemental and combined states on earth. Maintaining this carbon balance allows the planet to remain hospitable for life. Nature tends to keep carbon levels balanced, meaning that the amount of carbon naturally released from reservoirs is equal to the amount that is naturally absorbed by reservoirs. The carbon cycle is vital to life on Earth. Some of this sediment might form fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, which release carbon back into the atmosphere when the fuel is burned. When the animals die, they decompose, and their remains become sediment, trapping the stored carbon in layers that eventually turn into rock or minerals. This carbon can then be ingested and stored in animals that eat the plants. For example, some carbon in the atmosphere might be captured by plants to make food during photosynthesis.

However, the amount of carbon in a specific reservoir can change over time as carbon moves from one reservoir to another. Because Earth is a closed system, the amount of carbon on the planet never changes. Most of the carbon on the planet is contained within rocks, minerals, and other sediment buried beneath the surface of the planet. Some organisms, such as clams or coral, use the carbon to form shells and skeletons. It is also stored in oceans, captured by many types of marine organisms. In the atmosphere, carbon is stored in the form of gases, such as carbon dioxide. Carbon is used by plants to build leaves and stems, which are then digested by animals and used for cellular growth.

Carbon can be stored in a variety of reservoirs, including plants and animals, which is why they are considered carbon life forms. The movement of carbon from reservoir to reservoir is known as the carbon cycle.

It is stored in what are known as reservoirs, and it moves between these reservoirs through a variety of processes, including photosynthesis, burning fossil fuels, and simply releasing breath from the lungs. Carbon is in a constant state of movement from place to place. Whether these life forms take in carbon to help manufacture food or release carbon as part of respiration, the intake and output of carbon is a component of all plant and animal life. Carbon is an essential element for all life forms on Earth.

Carbon cycle powerpoints