Carbon-Cycle
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Transcript Carbon-Cycle
Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle is the circulation and
transformation of carbon back and forth between
living things and the environment.
What Is Carbon?
Importance of Carbon
Building block of life
Fixed amount
CO2 is only of the atmosphere (0.04%)
Energy balance of the planet
Protective blanket
Organic Carbon
Hydrocarbons: CH4
Carbohydrate: CH2O
Inorganic carbon
Carbon Dioxide: CO2
Calcium Carbonate: CaCO3
Mandale Limestone Quarry
Carbon
Carbon exists in the nonliving environment as:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbonic acid ( HCO3-)
Carbonate rocks (limestone and corals = CaCO3)
Deposits of Fossil fuels
Dead organic matter
Carbon reservoirs
•The atmosphere
•The biosphere
•The oceans
•The lithosphere
(carbon dioxide)
(include fresh water systems and non-living
organic material, such as soil carbon)
( including dissolved inorganic carbon and
living and non-living marine biota)
(sediments, Earth core including fossil fuels)
Carbon reservoirs
Carbon in Oceans
Additional carbon is stored in the ocean.
Many animals pull carbon from water to use in shells, etc.
Animals die and carbon substances are deposited at the
bottom of the ocean.
Oceans contain earth’s largest store of carbon.
Carbon Cycle
The same carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. They
cycle between the earth and the atmosphere.
Plants Use Carbon Dioxide
Plants pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to
make food –— photosynthesis.
The carbon becomes part of the plant (stored food).
Photosynthesis
CO2 + H2O + sunlight CH2O + O2
Carbon is taken from the atmosphere
in several ways
Photosynthesis.
The oceans when the seawater becomes cooler, more CO2
dissolve and become carbonic acid.
In the upper ocean areas organisms convert reduced carbon to
tissues, or carbonates.
Animals Eat Plants
When organisms eat plants, they take in the carbon and some
of it becomes part of their own bodies.
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 deposits
underground (oil, coal, etc.).
Carbon Slowly Returns to Atmosphere
Carbon in rocks and underground deposits is released very
slowly into the atmosphere.
This process takes many years.
Carbon is released into the
atmosphere in several ways
Respiration by plants and animals.
Decay of animal and plant matter.
Combustion of organic material
Production of cement.
The ocean releases CO2 into the atmosphere.
Volcanic eruptions and metamorphism
Respiration
CH2O + O2 CO2 + H2O + energy
Combustion or Oxidization of
hydrocarbon
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O + energy
Carbon Cycle Diagram
Carbon in Atmosphere
Decomposers
break down dead
things, releasing
carbon to
atmosphere and
soil
Fossil fuels are
burned; carbon
is returned to
atmosphere
Carbon slowly
released from
these substances
returns to
atmosphere
Plants use
carbon to make
food
Plants and
animals die
Bodies not
decomposed —
after many
years, become
part of oil or coal
deposits
Animals eat
plants and
take in carbon
The Carbon Cycle
Human Impact
Fossil fuels release carbon stores very slowly
Burning anything releases more carbon into atmosphere —
especially fossil fuels
Fossil Fuels
Petroleum
Natural Gas
Coal
Fossil Fuel
86% of global primary energy consumption is
fossil fuels.
Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle
Burning fossil fuels have serious impact on
the carbon cycle.
Keeling Curve
Green House Effect-Global Warming
Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global
warming
Result
What We Need to Do
Burn less, especially fossil fuels
Promote plant life, especially trees
Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from atmosphere
Safe/Green Energy alternatives
Thanks for your attention!