Carbon Cycle

Carbon
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbonic acid ( HCO
3

)
Carbonate rocks (limestone and coral = CaCO
3
)
Deposits of Fossil fuels
Dead organic matter

Carbon exists in the nonliving environment as:
Organic Carbon
Hydrocarbons: CH
4



Carbohydrate: CH
2
O
Inorganic carbon
Carbon Dioxide: CO
2




Calcium Carbonate: CaCO
3


Mandale Limestone Quarry
Carbon reservoirs
Carbon reservoirs
The atmosphere.

The biosphere (include fresh water systems and non-living
organic material, such as soil carbon).

The oceans (including dissolved inorganic carbon and
living and non-living marine biota).

The lithosphere (sediments, Earth core including fossil fuels).
Carbon Cycle
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
Carbon is taken from the atmosphere
in several ways
Photosynthesis.
The oceans when the seawater becomes
cooler, more CO
2
dissolve and become
carbonic acid.
In the upper ocean areas organisms convert
reduced carbon to tissues, or carbonates.
Photosynthesis
CO
2
+ H
2
O + sunlight CH
2
O + O
2

Respiration
CH
2
O + O
2
CO
2
+ H
2
O + energy
Combustion or Oxidization of
hydrocarbon
CH
4
+ 2 O
2
CO
2
+ 2 H
2
O + energy
Human Impacts on the Carbon
Cycle
Burning fossil fuels have serious impact on
the carbon cycle.

Fossil Fuel
86% of global primary energy consumption is
fossil fuels.
Fossil Fuels
Petroleum
Natural Gas
Coal
CO
2
Concentration
Pre-Industrial value: 280 ppm (600 billion tons)
Current value: 380 ppm (800 billion tons)
Critical value: 560 ppm (1200 billion tons)