By: Adam Marx The Carbon Cycle

Objectives Discuss the biogeochemical cycles that include the cycling of carbon through the ocean, atmosphere, soil, and biosphere (including humans), providing the foundation for living organisms. Gradual atmospheric changes are due to plants and other organisms that captured carbon dioxide and released oxygen. Changes in the atmosphere due to human activity have increased carbon dioxide concentrations and thus affect climate. The total amount of energy and matter in closed systems is conserved.

Key Concepts Carbon is “the basic building block of life and the element that anchors all organic substances, from coal and oil to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the compound that carries genetic information.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D7hZpIYlCA

Carbon Cycle in the Hydrosphere One of the main Carbon Sinks Photosynthesis of Algae produces CO2 Diffusion of Carbon dioxide – dissolves, leaving carbonate (CO3) and bicarbonate (HC3O-) Phytoplankton (shells become lime)

Carbon Cycle in the Hydrosphere Carbon also reaches ocean through erosion and deposition from landmasses (wind, rivers) Respiration Upwelling and release of CO2 from waste of autotrophs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jH8VT2pr1c Oceanic Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle in the Atmosphere CO2 is released into the air after plants and other autotrophs produce it through photosynthesis The CO2 is pulled back down in the exchange cycle Dissolved in rain water Direct Diffusion CO2 weakens the atmosphere’s ozone layer (greenhouse gases) Stable Carbon PPM =350 Current Carbon PPM = 400

Carbon Cycle in the Geosphere Photosynthesis occurs, CO2 is released CO2 can be consumed by living organisms, be buried within the soil when plant dies, or released into the air Buried CO2 begins to form fossil fuels as a result of millions of years of the death of plants and other living organisms depositing carbon within the soil - Lithosphere Fossil fuels can be burned to produce energy – but this is not part of the natural cycle Volcanoes

Carbon Cycle in the Biosphere Carbon makes up a large portion of living organism’s physical bodies Living organisms use carbon to build up their mass Carbon is emmitted through wastes like excrement, gas, and urine to the atmosphere or ocean Cycle is repeated

Fossil Fuels Carbon buried within the soil Oil and Coal Industrial Revolution 1760 Carbon ppm was under 350 Overconcentration of greenhouse gas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX9YFixuVSA

Thank You For Listening

Sources http://www.livescience.com/32983-what-are-ingredients-life.html https://www.co2.earth/ http://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html P. 117-118 Environmental Science 8th Edition