Carbon Cycle

Atmospheric CO₂ pool

Carbon dioxide in air; increased by combustion and deforestation.

Plant biomass pool

Stores carbon as glucose via photosynthesis.

Animal biomass pool

Carbon stored through consumption.

Soil/decomposer pool

Carbon in organic matter; released through decomposition.

Ocean pool

Major carbon sink exchanging CO₂ with atmosphere.

Fossil fuel pool

Long

Carbon flux: photosynthesis

Moves CO₂ → biomass.

Carbon flux: respiration

Moves biomass carbon → CO₂.

Carbon flux: decomposition

Breakdown of dead matter → CO₂.

Carbon flux: combustion

Burning fuels releases CO₂ rapidly.

Carbon flux: ocean exchange

Ocean absorbs/releases CO₂.

Human alteration: fossil fuel burning

Strongest driver of rising CO₂.

Human alteration: deforestation

Reduces carbon fixation; increases atmospheric CO₂.

Human alteration: agriculture & cows

Produces methane; alters land carbon pools.