2. Carbon cycle
Process by which carbon moves from organic t
inorganic compounds and back
Producers convert inorganic carbon (CO2) into
organic carbon compounds (glucose)
Primary Consumers obtain organic compounds
by eating producers
Secondary consumers obtain organic carbon
by eating primary consumers
Cellular Respiration by producers and
consumers return CO2 to atmosphere
3. In the natural carbon cycle, there are two
main processes which occur
Photosynthesis
metabolism
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8. Carbon in Ocean and
Sediments
CO2 is slightly soluble
Can be absorbed into water
Some of the dissolved CO2 remains in the water, the warmer the water the
less carbon dioxide remains in the water
Some CO2 is used by algae and phytoplankton through the process of
photosynthesis
Coral and shelled marine organisms take up CO2 from the water and
convert it into calcium carbonate
When these organisms die pieces of shells/coral fall to ocean floor and make
sediments
The carbonate sediments are constantly being formed and redissolved in the
bottom of the ocean
Over long periods of time, the sediments may be raised up as dry land or
into mountains
This type of sedimentary rock is called limestone
The carbonates can redissolve releasing carbon dioxide back to the air or
water
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11. Humans and the Carbon
Cycle
Combustion of any type of fossil fuel, which may
include oil, coal, or natural gas
Fossil Fuels formed thousands of years ago from
plant or animal remains that were buried,
compressed, and transformed into oil, coal, or
natural gas
This carbon is said to be "fixed" in place and is
essentially locked out of the natural carbon cycle
Humans intervene during by burning the fossil fuels
During combustion in the presence of O2, CO2 and water
molecules are released into the atmosphere
12. Photosynthesis and Global
Climate
CO2 makes up 0.03 percent of Earth’s atmosphere
300 parts per million
Greenhouse Effect
CO2 traps heat from sun in Earth’s atmosphere (otherwise it would escape into space)
Not a bad thing
Keeps world climate warm enough to sustain life
Keeps Earth 10% warmer than it would be without CO2
Currently CO2 in atmosphere is rising
360 parts per million
Burning fossil fuels
Deforestation
Natural Causes
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Decomposition
Volcanic eruptions
Ocean/limestone
Global Warming
Overall rise in Earth’s average temperature over a period of time