Activity 8: The Carbon Cycle Read the introduction to Activity 8 (pg. 96). Record the challenge questions and define the key terms in your lab notebook. Challenge: How does human activity affect the movement of carbon through the carbon cycle? Key Terms: Carbon Cycle: Carbon Reservoir:
Carbon cycle The movement of carbon between a carbon reserves. The movement of carbon within an ecosystem.
Carbon reservoir A natural feature, such as a rock, a pinch of soil, or an organism, that stores carbon-containing molecule and exchanges them with other carbon reservoirs.
Why is carbon important? Contained within carbohydrates, fats, proteins and nucleic acids Fundamental to life Found in all living things Found in the air, the land and water Part of fossil fuels
The chemical structure of coal, which can be converted into liquid fuels and chemicals.
Carbon Cycle
Carbon Cycle Processes What processes absorb carbon? Photosynthesis Carbon dioxide (CO2) in Carbon is incorporated into carbohydrates (food) in plants Carbon is moved through the food web
Carbon Cycle Processes What processes absorb carbon? Oceans Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in the water at the surface Used by plants and phytoplankton in photosynthesis Stored in shells and coral reefs
Carbon Cycle Processes What processes return carbon dioxide to the environment? Waste and Decay Consumers obtain carbon through their food release some in their waste When dead organisms are broken down, carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) Carbon from waste and decay can also end up in sedimentary rocks
Carbon Cycle Processes What processes return carbon dioxide to the environment? Respiration (breathing) Oxygen (O2) in Carbon dioxide (CO2) out Plants, animals, and microorganisms respire
Carbon Cycle Processes What processes return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? Burning Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels (like coal and oil) contain carbon. When they are burned for energy, CO2 is released back into the atmosphere
Carbon Cycle Processes What processes return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? Forest Fires Carbon trapped in plants Carbon is released into the atmosphere when the plants burn
Carbon Cycle
Carbon Cycle Video
How is human activity affecting the carbon cycle? http://www.mdwebster.com/work/portfolio/year_3/carboncycle.html#