Carbon Cycle

How does carbon move through the cycle

1. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, absorbing CO2 and sunlight to create energy
2. Animals respirate taking in O2 and creating CO2
3. Plants respirate taking in CO2 and creating O2
4. Decay of animals and plants occurs and returns Carbon to the ground
5. Decay creates fossil fuels
6. The phytoplankton in the ocean maintain a presence of CO2 this is called ocean uptake

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Anthropogenic components

1. Fossil Fuel use
2. Fraking

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Places Carbon is found

1. In the Atmosphere as CO2
2. In the ocean as CO2 gas
3. On land in organisms, rocks and soil
4. Underground as fossil fuels

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Carbon Sinks

• definition: places where carbon is stored for long periods of time
• Examples: old tree growth, the ocean

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Methane (CH4), the greenhouse gas

• released from landfills and livestock
• Major by-product of combustion

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