THE CARBON CYCLE

What is Carbon?

•An element

•The basic building blocks of humans, animals and trees and some greenhouse gases

•Found in rocks, oceans, atmosphere

What is Carbon Cycle?

The same carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. This cycle is between the earth and the atmosphere.

Plants use CO2

•Plants pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to make food (photosynthesis).

•The carbon becomes part of the plant (stored food).

Animals eat plantsWhen organisms eat plants, they take in the carbon and some of it becomes part of their own bodies.

Plants and Animals 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.

Carbon Slowly Returns to Atmosphere

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

•This process takes many years.

Cycle repeats over and over and over and over…

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 and

soil

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

atmosphere

The Carbon Cycle

Why carbon cycle is important?

Many elements have cycle, but the cycling of carbon atoms is particularly important because:-•Through photosynthesis and respiration, it is the way the earth produces food and other renewal resources.•Carbon dioxide (CO2) plays a key role in trapping heat in the atmosphere - one of the basic mechanisms behind the greenhouse effect.•Carbon plays a central role in combustion.

Human Impact•Fossil fuels release carbon stores very slowly•Burning anything releases more carbon into atmosphere-especially fossil fuels•Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global warming• Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from atmosphere

What we need 2 do?

•Burn less, especially fossil fuels

•Promote plant life, especially trees

Questions•What is carbon?•What is a carbon cycle?•How does the carbon cycle form? (answer in brief)•What is the importance of carbon cycle?•Are the humans also a part of the carbon cycle? How?•What can we do to reduce the rate of carbon cycle?

THE END