the carbon cycle. by james burrows, nadia molinero, emilie vanness and tatijana vujicic
TRANSCRIPT
A chemical element Symbol “C” and atomic number 6, part of group 14 on the Periodic
Table. Non-metal and *tetravalent, only allowing 4 electrons to form
chemical bonds with it. Found in 2 major forms; diamond and graphite Found impurely in charcoal, soot and coal. Fourth most abundant element in the universe. Every organism on Earth needs carbon for either structure or
energy Found in forms such as gas carbon dioxide, to solids like
limestone, wood and plastic
*Tetravalent: having a valence of four
What is Carbon?
The sun The stars Comets Atmospheres of most planets Nearly every single living
thing
Where is Carbon Found?
Pools Amount in billions of metric tons.
Atmosphere 578 (in 1700) – 766 (in 1999)
Soil Organic Matter 1500 - 1600
Fossil Fuel Deposits 4000
Ocean 38,000 – 40,000
Marine Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
66,000,000 – 100,000,000
Terrestrial Plants 540 - 610
Carbon Pools
Carbon is stored in the following major pools;
-Organic molecules in living or dead organisms-Carbon dioxide-Organic matter in soils-Fossil fuels and sedimentary rock deposits-Dissolved atmospheric carbon dioxide
What is the Carbon Cycle?
Biogeochemical processes where carbon is subjected to chemical reactions
Organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere, into organisms and back
Moves through the atmosphere, oceans, water, living things, soil and geological deposits.
Changes form and moves through different reservoirs
The Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle.
Carbon is interchanged between active pools due to differing processes;
Photosynthesis and respiration between the land and the atmosphere, and diffusion between the ocean and the
atmosphere.
Biology plays an important role in movement of carbon between land, air, and ocean.
Multicellular life depends on production of sugars from sunlight and CO2.
Plants take in carbon dioxide and use sunlight to convert it to sugars and oxygen
When animals eat the plants, they acquire the carbon that was stored there
Biological Carbon Cycle
Geological Carbon Cycle
Component of the cycle that interacts with rock cycle
Carbonic acid forms by reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide and water
Acidic rain reaches the Earth’s surface, and reacts with minerals
Through deposition and burial, calcite sediment forms limestone
Odorless gas produced by burning carbon Naturally present in the air Absorbed by plants during photosynthesis.
Carbon Dioxide.
Produced by…
*Volcanoes*Respiration*Burning fossil fuels*Decaying animals* burning rain forests*Cars
Significantly altering the natural carbon cycle
Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation increases CO2
Releases carbon faster than its being removed, causes an imbalance and CO2 concentrations to increase
Carbon dioxide increases atmospheres ability to hold heat, also known as greenhouse gases.
Human Alteration of the Carbon Cycle.
http://lesson-plans.theteacherscorner.net/science/experiments/raisins.php
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http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=95
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