Factors driving change in the magnitude of carbon stores over time and space.

Diagram showing the major flows and stores in the carbon cycle Factors driving change in the magnitude of carbon stores over time and space. Photosynthesis Process whereby plants use light energy from the sun to produce carbohydrates in the form of glucose Green plants absorb the light energy using chlorophyll in the their leaves The absorbed light energy converts carbon dioxide in the air and water from the soil into glucose. During this process, oxygen is released into the air Some glucose is used in respiration, the rest is converted back to starch, which is insoluble but can be converted back into glucose for respiration Carbon dioxide + water -----light energy  glucose + oxygen Carbon sequestration It is an umbrella term used to describe the transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to the plants, soils, rock formations and oceans. It is both a natural and human (artificial) process Human - geological sequestration Co2 is captured at its source (Eg powerplants) and then injected in liquid form to store underground, eg in depleted oil and gas reserves. This technique is still in experimental stage. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) Natural - terrestrial / biological / oceans Plants capture Co2 from the atmosphere and then store it as carbon in the stems and roots of the plants as well as in the soil. Diagram showing the major flows and stores in the carbon cycle Respiration Chemical process that happens in all cells and is common to both plants and animals. Plants use some of the stored carbohydrates as an energy source to carry out their life processes by means of respiration. Glucose is converted into energy that be used for growth and repair, movement and control of body temperature in mammals. Carbon dioxide is then returned to the atmosphere, mostly by exhaled air. Burial and compaction Organic matter is buried by sediments and becomes compacted. Over millions of years, these organic sediments containing carbon may form hydrocarbons such as oil and coal. Corals and shelled organisms for example take up carbon dioxide from the water and covert it into calcium carbonate to build up their shells. When they die, the shells accumulate on the sea bed. Some of the carbonates dissolve, releasing carbon dioxide. The rest become compacted to form limestone, storing carbon for millions of years. Decomposition When organisms die they are consumed by decomposers such as bacteria, fungi and earthworms. During this process of decomposition, carbon from their bodies is returned to the atmosphere is carbon dioxide. Some organic material passes into the soil where it may be stored for hundreds of years Combustion Organic material contains carbon. When it is burned in the presence of oxygen (Eg coal in a power station) it is converted into energy, carbon dioxide and water. This is known as combustion. The organic material can be vegetation or fossil fuels such as natural gas (methane), oil or coal. The carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, returning carbon that might have been stored in rocks for millions of years. Weathering Involves the breakdown or decay of rocks in their original place or close to the surface. When carbon dioxide is absorbed by rainwater it forms a acidic carbonic acid. Through a series of complex chemical reactions, rocks will slowly dissolve with the carbon being held in the solution. This is transported via the water cycle to the oceans and the carbon can then be used to build the shells of marine organisms.

Factors within fast carbon cycles Photosynethesis Respiration Decomposition Combustion

Photosynthesis Process whereby plants use light energy from the sun to produce carbohydrates in the form of glucose Green plants absorb the light energy using chlorophyll in the their leaves The absorbed light energy converts carbon dioxide in the air and water from the soil into glucose. During this process, oxygen is released into the air Some glucose is used in respiration, the rest is converted back to starch, which is insoluble but can be converted back into glucose for respiration Carbon dioxide + water -----light energy  glucose + oxygen

Respiration Chemical process that happens in all cells and is common to both plants and animals. Plants use some of the stored carbohydrates as an energy source to carry out their life processes by means of respiration. Glucose is converted into energy that be used for growth and repair, movement and control of body temperature in mammals. Carbon dioxide is then returned to the atmosphere, mostly by exhaled air.

Decomposition When organisms die they are consumed by decomposers such as bacteria, fungi and earthworms. During this process of decomposition, carbon from their bodies is returned to the atmosphere is carbon dioxide. Some organic material passes into the soil where it may be stored for hundreds of years

Combustion Organic material contains carbon. When it is burned in the presence of oxygen (Eg coal in a power station) it is converted into energy, carbon dioxide and water. This is known as combustion. The organic material can be vegetation or fossil fuels such as natural gas (methane), oil or coal. The carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, returning carbon that might have been stored in rocks for millions of years.

Factors within slow carbon cycles Carbon sequestration Burial and compaction Chemical weathering

Carbon sequestration It is an umbrella term used to describe the transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to the plants, soils, rock formations and oceans. It is both a natural and human (artificial) process Human - geological sequestration Co2 is captured at its source (Eg powerplants) and then injected in liquid form to store underground, eg in depleted oil and gas reserves. This technique is still in experimental stage. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) Natural - terrestrial / biological / oceans Plants capture Co2 from the atmosphere and then store it as carbon in the stems and roots of the plants as well as in the soil.

Burial and compaction Organic matter is buried by sediments and becomes compacted. Over millions of years, these organic sediments containing carbon may form hydrocarbons such as oil and coal. Corals and shelled organisms for example take up carbon dioxide from the water and covert it into calcium carbonate to build up their shells. When they die, the shells accumulate on the sea bed. Some of the carbonates dissolve, releasing carbon dioxide. The rest become compacted to form limestone, storing carbon for millions of years.

Weathering Involves the breakdown or decay of rocks in their original place or close to the surface. When carbon dioxide is absorbed by rainwater it forms a acidic carbonic acid. Through a series of complex chemical reactions, rocks will slowly dissolve with the carbon being held in the solution. This is transported via the water cycle to the oceans and the carbon can then be used to build the shells of marine organisms.