2. WHAT IS CARBON?
An element: 6 protons, 6 neutrons
The basis of life of earth
Found in all earth systems
3. CARBON CYCLE
• The same carbon atoms are used
repeatedly on earth. They cycle
between the atmosphere, hydrosphere,
geosphere and biosphere.
4. PROCESSES THAT TRANSFER
CARBON
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Consumption
- Decomposition
- Combustion (Burning)
- Weathering (rocks break down and release
carbon)
- Dissolve/Vaporize (Between ocean and
atmosphere)
- Deposition
5. ANIMALS CONSUME AND RELEASE
CARBON
• When organisms eat (consume) plants or other organisms, they
take in the carbon and some of it becomes part of their own
bodies.
• When they breath (respiration) they release carbon.
6. PLANTS AND ANIMAL DIE
• When plants and animals die, most of
their bodies are decomposed and
carbon atoms are returned to the
atmosphere.
• Some are not decomposed fully and end
up in geosphere deposits underground
(soil, oil, coal, etc.) or at the bottom of
ocean.
7. NATURAL COMBUSTION
• Bush fires , release carbon into the
atmosphere and geosphere.
• Fire returns carbon to the soil and
“cleans out” unhealthy plants, allowing
new plants to grow.
9. CARBON CYCLE DIAGRAM
Carbon in Atmosphere
Plants use
carbon to make
food
Animals eat
plants and
take in carbon
Plants and
animals die
Decomposers
break down dead
things, releasing
carbon to
atmosphere and
soil
Bodies not
decomposed —
after many
years, become
part of oil or coal
deposits
Fossil fuels are
burned; carbon
is returned to
atmosphere
(Unbalanced)
Carbon slowly
released from
these substances
returns to
atmosphere
10. UNBALANCED CYCLE - HUMAN
IMPACT
• Under balanced conditions, fossil fuels release carbon
stores very slowly into atmosphere.
• When humans burn fossil fuels, it releases a
tremendous amount of carbon into the atmosphere
over a very short time span.
• Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases
global warming
• Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from
atmosphere
11. WHAT IS YOUR CARBON
FOOTPRINT?
• A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon emitted into the
atmosphere by your personal, day-to-day activities.
• Examples: Type of car you drive, how far you drive your car, how
much electricity you use (electricity primarily comes from burning
coal), where the food you buy is grown and airplane flights.
• Why do we care?? GLOBAL WARMING
12. THINGS YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE
YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
• Promote plant life, especially trees
• Buy a fuel efficient vehicle
• Purchase locally grown food
• Reduce electricity use
• Reduce how far/much you drive
• Take less airplane trips
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
