Carbon Cycle

Photosynthesis

Atmosphere to biomass - absorbed from the atmosphere and used to create glucose for growth

Respiration

Biosphere to atmosphere - break down glucose for energy, releasing carbon dioxide and methane

Combustion

Lithosphere / biosphere to atmosphere - burnt to release energy while releasing carbon dioxide and other pollutant molecules

Decomposition

Biosphere to atmosphere and lithosphere - bacteria and fungi break down dead organism to release carbon dioxide and methane back into the atmosphere and soils

Ocean uptake and loss

Atmosphere to hydrosphere - warm water absorbs carbon dioxide and cools to sink, transferring carbon to the deep waters, until it warms and rises again to be released

Weathering

Atmosphere to the hydrosphere and biosphere - atmospheric carbon reacts with water vapour to form carbonic acid which then reacts with calcium carbonate rocks to form calcium bicarbonate which is then dissolved into the seas

Sequestration

Atmosphere to lithosphere - natural and human - compacted dead organic matter and carbon capture and storage

Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon is captured from the factories and turned into a liquid to then be stored underground in porous rock surrounded by impermeable rock

Atmosphere

Carbon is stored as CO2 and Methane - 0.001% of the Earth’s carbon - over 400ppm

Cryosphere

Carbon is stored in the permafrost and anaerobically released - less than 0.0001%

Hydrosphere

Carbon is dissolved in oceans, rivers and lakes - 0.04% - most found in deep ocean

Biosphere

Carbon is stored in the tissues of living organisms - 0.004% - mostly in soil

Lithosphere

Carbon is stored in sedimentary rocks - over 99.9% - 0.004% in fossil fuels

Wildfires

Natural process - biosphere to atmosphere - released through burning and can encourage plant growth

Volcanic activity

Natural process - carbon is released from underground during eruptions

Fossil Fuel usage

Human processes - Combustion transfers to the atmosphere from a long term carbon sink - 90% of all carbon in the atmosphere

Deforestation

Human processes - Used to clear land by slash and burn and interrupting the forest carbon cycle

Farming Practices

Human processes - Ploughing can release soil stored carbon and arable farming releases carbon as animals respire

Carbon Source

Emits more carbon than it absorbs

Carbon Sink

Absorbs more carbon than it emits

Cement manufacture

Human process - Calcium carbonate is heated releasing CO2 - every 1000kg of cement produces 900kg of CO2

Land Use Change

Human process - Urban areas have less photosynthesis, more cars and more cement - 2012 responsible for 47% of all emissions

Carbon Sequestration

Human process - geological is liquified carbon stored in rocks underground - terrestrial is using plants to capture carbon