Carbon Cycle

What are the Spheres?

Geosphere → Atmosphere (air/gas), Lithosphere (mountains/rocks/dirt), Cryosphere (ice), Hydrosphere (water)

* All are abiotic = non-living

\
Biosphere → Biotic (living): plants and animal

How do the levels if carbon stay in check?

The return of CO2 to the atmosphere by respiration closely balances its removal by photosynthesis

\- Photo: C02 + H20 → C6H12+02

\- Cell resp: C6H12+O2 → CO2+H2O

* Carbon always stay as carbon → only changes form → Glucose

What disrupts the balance of carbon in each reservoir?

Burning of Combustion → Hydrocarbon: fossil fuels

* Cell resp: CxHy+O2 → CO2H2O

Forms of Carbon

CO2 → Carbon dioxide in the air

H2CO3 → Carbonic acid in the ocean

C6H12O6 → Glucose in plants

CxHy → Hydrocarbon fossil fuels

What is a greenhouse gas?

Gases that trap heat in the troposphere

Diffusion via pressure gradient

H2CO3

Detrites

Matter composed of plants and animal remains