1. By: Adam Marx
The Carbon Cycle

2. 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.

3. 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.”

4. 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)

5. 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

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

7. 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

9. 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

11. 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

14. Fossil Fuels Carbon buried within the soil Oil and Coal
Industrial Revolution 1760
Carbon ppm was under 350
Overconcentration of greenhouse gas

16. Thank You For Listening

17. Sources
P Environmental Science 8th Edition