THE CARBON CYCLE TEK: Diagram abiotic cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen and rock cycles.

THE CARBON CYCLE

TEK: Diagram abiotic cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen and rock cycles.

What Is Carbon?

An element: 6 protons, 6 neutrons

The basis of life of earth

Found in all earth systems

Carbon Cycle

The same carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. They cycle between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere.

Processes that transfer carbon

Between earth systems- Photosynthesis- Respiration- Consumption- Decomposition- Combustion (Burning)- Weathering (rocks break down and release carbon)

- Dissolve/Vaporize (Between ocean and atmosphere)

- Deposition

Plants consume and release Carbon Dioxide

Plants pull carbon from the atmosphere or hydrosphere and use it to make food –— photosynthesis.

Plants release carbon by respiration.

Animals consume and release carbon

When organisms eat (consume) plants or other organisms, they take in the carbon and some of it becomes part of their own bodies.

When they breath (respiration) they release carbon.

Plants and Animal Die

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 geosphere deposits underground (soil, oil, coal, etc.) or at the bottom of ocean.

Natural combustion

Forest and grass fires are a natural, required part of the carbon cycle that release carbon into the atmosphere and geosphere.

Fire returns carbon to the soil and “cleans out” unhealthy plants, allowing new plants to grow.

Carbon Slowly Returns to Atmosphere

Carbon in rocks and underground deposits is released very slowly into the atmosphere.

This process takes many years and is usually caused by weathering.

Carbon in Oceans

Oceans store large amounts of carbon.Largest exchange of carbon in carbon

cycle is the dissolving and vaporization of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and ocean surface.

Oceans store carbon on ocean floor.

Many animals pull carbon from water to use in shells, etc. When these animals die, the carbon substances are deposited at the bottom of the ocean.

Carbon Cycle Diagram

Carbon 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

(Unbalanced)

Carbon slowly released from

these substances returns to

atmosphere

Balanced Carbon Cycle

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Unbalanced Cycle - Human Impact

Under balanced conditions, fossil fuels release carbon stores very slowly into atmosphere.

When humans burn fossil fuels, it releases a tremendous amount of carbon into the atmosphere over a very short time span.

Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global warming

Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from atmosphere

Un-balanced Carbon Cycle

What is your carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere by your personal, day-to-day activities.

Examples: Type of car you drive, how far you drive your car, how much electricity you use (electricity primarily comes from burning coal), where the food you buy is grown and airplane flights.

Why do we care?? GLOBAL WARMING

Things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint

Promote plant life, especially treesBuy a fuel efficient vehiclePurchase locally grown foodReduce electricity useReduce how far/much you driveTake less airplane tripsReduce, Reuse, Recycle!

CFA

1. Why is the carbon in the atmosphere increasing?

2. Of the seven processes that transfer carbon, what is the only one that reduces the carbon in the atmosphere?

3. Why are we worried about the amount of carbon in the atmosphere?