Carbon cycle into

Main stores of carbon

• Marine sediments- largest store of carbon

  -long term

  -rocks take millions of years to form

• Ocean

  -c02 absorbed directly from the air

  -river water discharges carbon carried in solution

  -industrial revolution- oceans have absorbed more co2 as more in the atmosphere

• Fossil fuel deposits

  -hydrocarbon eg oil and gas long-term stores

  -exploited for heat and power

  -combustion pumped large quantities of co2 into the atmosphere increasing climate change

• Soil organic matter

  -rotting organic matter

  -remain in the soil for hundreds of years

  -Deforestation, land use change and soil erosion release stored carbon rapidly

• Atmosphere

  -in form co2

  -amount increased due to co2 emissions from power stations, vehicles and deforestation

  -enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change

• Terrestrial plants

  -vital for all life

  -convert sun energy into carbohydrates

  -deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere