Transcript Carbon Cycle

CARBON CYCLE
THE CARBON CYCLE
• The carbon cycle is just one of several
recycling processes, but it may be the
most important process since carbon is
the basic building block of life.
Carbon cycle
The carbon cycle is the process in which
carbon atoms are recycled over and over
again on Earth. Carbon recycling takes
place within Earth's biosphere and
between living things (biotic) and the
nonliving (abiotic) environment.
• Since a continual supply of carbon is
essential for all living organisms, the
carbon cycle is the name given to the
different processes that move
carbon from one to another. The
complete cycle is made up of
"sources" that put carbon back into
the environment and "sinks" that
absorb and store carbon.
Ways Carbon is ADDED to our
Atmosphere
2 Ways Carbon is Eliminated from
the Atmosphere
Main Parts of the Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Decomposition
Natural weathering of rocks
Burning (combustion) of fossil fuels.
Photosynthesis
Respiration
CARBOHYDRATE
+ OXYGEN
Makes
CARBON
DIOXIDE +
OXYGEN
Respiration
• When that plant is eaten, the cells of
the animal break down the plant's
tissues during digestion. This releases
the stored carbon and other nutrients
into the animal's system.
• As the animal breathes out (exhales),
carbon dioxide is released into the air
(atmosphere) and the cycle can begin
again. This is known as respiration.
“The major exchange of
carbon between the
atmosphere and the
lithosphere results from
photosynthesis and
respiration”
CARBON AND RESPIRATION
CONTINUED
• WHEN ANIMALS RELEASE CARBON
DIOXIDE TO THE ATMOSPHERE, THEY
DECOMPOSE, DECAY, AND FROM POOLS
OF ENERGY CALLED FOSSIL FULES
(INCLUDING COAL, OIL, AND NATURAL
GASES)
Decomposition
• MUSSELS, CLAMS AND
OYSTERS MAKE SHELLS OF
CALCIUM CARBONATE FROM
C02
• The dead organisms fall to the bottom
of the ocean where they collect and
become fossilized
Decomposition – Oil and Coal
• WHEN TREES DIE, THEY FALL
INTO SWAMPY MUD, WITH A
LACK OF OXYGEN. THEREFORE,
NORMAL DECOMPOSITION
CANNOT OCCUR
Weathering cont.
OIL AND COAL
• TREES BECOME FOSSILISED
(COAL IS THEN FORMED)
• OIL FORMS FROM TINY DEAD
PLANTS TRAPPED AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN OR
MURKY WATER
Burning of Fossil Fuels
RECAP
• Photosynthesis – Carbon in carbs made
• Respiration – plants eaten, carbs used
and converted into carbon dioxide and
water.
• Decomposition – collected in
watersheds, the carbon is in shells and
trees which fall to the bottom of the ocean
where they compress and become
fossilized.
Recap cont.
• Weathering of Rocks – Shells and trees
become fossilized making limestone.
• Buring of Fossil Fuels – Humans use
fossil fuels (coal and oil) creating massive
amounts of carbon dioxide.
Example: Tracing Matter
Grandma Johnson
Describe the path of a carbon atom from Grandma
Johnson’s remains, to inside the leg muscle of a coyote.
*NOTE: The coyote does not dig up and consume any part
of Grandma Johnson’s remains.
Grandma
Johnson
Organic carbon
Decomposers
1. Cellular
Respiration
Organic carbon
Plants
Herbivores
2. Photosynthesis
Coyote
3. Food Chain
The Carbon Cycle
The Cycle Keeps Going!
What is a connection between a car driving
down the road, a tree growing in a forest, and
global warming?
CO2
CO2
CO2
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THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
CARBON DIOXIDE CONTRIBUTES
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
• KEEPS ALL EARHT’S
HEAT FROM
ESCAPING TO THE
OUTER
ATMOPSHERE
• CARBON
RESPONSIBLE FOR
GREENHOUSE
GASES AND 55% OF
THE GREENHOUSE
EFFECT
• CARBON DIOXIDE IS
TRANSPARENT TO
LIGHT BUT OPAQUE
TO HEAT RAYS,
THEREFORE THE
ATMOSPHERE
RETARDS THE
RAIATION OF HEAT
FROM THE EARTH
BACK INTO SPACE
GREENHOUSE
EFFECT