Carbon cycle PERIOD 3

{Carbon Cycle

By: Jada Rowe, Madison Medina, Kiana HoskinsPeriod 3

Natural ProcessÑ Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from

respiration and combustion.Ñ Carbon dioxide is absorbed by producers to

make carbohydrates in photosynthesis.Ñ Animals feed on the plant passing the carbon

compounds along the food chain. Most of the carbon they consume is exhaled as carbon dioxide formed during respiration. The animals and plants eventually die.

Ñ The dead organisms are eaten by decomposers and the carbon in their bodies is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In some conditions decomposition is blocked. The plant and animal material may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion

Natural Pathway

Ñ  AtmosphereÑ  Lithosphere (kerogens and sedimentary rocks )Ñ  Biosphere (biotic and abiotic)Ñ  Ocean (surface and deep)Ñ  Fossil Fuels (gas, coal, oil)

Natural Reservoirs

Ñ All living things are made up of carbon

Ñ Without it all living things would die Ñ Without carbon dioxide, plants

wouldn’t be able to go through photosynthesis and release oxygen

Ñ Carbon is found in the atmosphere, along with other gases. These gases keep the earth warm.

Importance

Ñ  Burn fossil fuels which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Ex. Oil, natural gas, and coal

Ñ  Deforestation Ñ  MDC: Russia (one of the largest oil producers) and

China (the largest coal producers) Ñ  LDC: Indonesia (6th largest producers of fossil fuels)

and Iran (one of the largest producers of natural gas)Ñ  Due to all the excess CO2 release from burning fossil

fuels and deforestation, the Earth is geVing warmer causing Global Climate Change.

Human Impact

Human affected pathway