There can’t be life without it!

 Atomic Number 6  6 Protons  6 electrons  4 valence electrons

 Carbon can bond in chains, rings and other bizarre configurations such as Buckeyeballs.

 Because of its chemistry, all life as we know it is based upon this element.  Carbon must constantly be recycled in ecological systems

 Is really several cycles combined together  To simplify we can separate into terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) based cycles

 What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?  6 CO 2 +6H 2 O --  C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 What is the chemical equation for cellular respiration? C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2  6 CO 2 +6H 2 O

 Plants remove Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the process of respiration puts Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere.  Living things that get buried without decomposition can become fossil fuels  Land based – coal  Ocean based – oil and natural gas

 Since 1800 and especially since 1950  World population has soared  World resource use has soared

 We have intervened in the Earth’s Carbon cycle in two ways that add extra Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere  Clearing plants and trees that absorb CO 2 through photosynthesis  Adding large amounts by burning fossil fuels and wood

 Carbon Dioxide is one of several “greenhouse” gasses.  Models suggest that increases in Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will enhance the natural greenhouse effect