Alana Piselli - Mini Project #2

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is a naturally occurring element found on the Earth’s surface. The biogeochemical process, known as the Carbon Cycle, explains how carbon is recycled in our atmosphere. The key components of the carbon cycle include respiration and photosynthesis. When carbon is combined with hydrogen carbohydrates are made, which are in turn combined with oxygen during respiration to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy. The release of respiration may be interpreted as the input of photosynthesis, and the outputs of photosynthesis may interpret the inputs of respiration, making the process and interactive and dependent one. (Barker 2003)

Carbon is circulated in many ways through our atmosphere. Carbon is found largely on the earth’s surface in the form of sedimentary rocks. When the carbon reaches the oceans it forms calcium carbonate. This process allows appropriate living conditions for our ocean’s reefs where carbon is converted into tissue matter. Plants found on land and in water use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. The carbon is then released into the atmosphere by respiration, decaying plants and animals, and even fossil fuel emissions.

Carbon is circulated in the biosphere by ways of autotrophs and heterotrophs. Carbon is circulated throughout the biosphere through respiration. The majority of carbon escapes the biosphere by respiration. The largest reservoir in the carbon cycle occurs in the ocean when bicarbonate combines with calcium to produce limestone. Carbon is essential in maintaining pH levels in the oceans. Carbon is constantly changing and exchanging between the ocean and the atmosphere by means of upswelling and downswelling.

The process is a relatively fast one because carbon is concentrated at small levels. Carbon dioxide is more resourceful in the winter due to the vegetation. Carbon dioxide emissions are currently growing at a .5 rate per year, and are expected to continue to grow. This can change our climate and contribute greatly to global warming.

Research on the carbon cycle has concluded there is “missing carbon”. Further research on this issue conducted by the concludes some issues as to where the carbon dioxide has gone including the increased amounts of phytoplankton as well as increased growth of forests.

References:

Carbon Cycle. Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle.

The Carbon Cycle (2006). Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/CarbonCycle.html#Where_is_the_missing_carbon
Barker, B. W. (2003). Environmental Studies: Concepts, connections, and controversies. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt.

Jessica Teller - Mini Project #2

The Carbon Cycle

The black numbers in the diagram show how much carbon is stored in the various reserviors shown in the diagram and the purple numbers show how mucfh carbon is transfered between reserviors each year. This cycle is made up of four major reserviors interconnected by pathways of exchange. The reserviors include the atmosphere, the terrestrial biosphere, the oceans and the sediments.

In the atmosphere, carbon consists mostly of the gas carbon dioxide. Carbon is taken from the atmosphere in many ways. Photosynthesis turns the carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere, into oxygen. Also, in the ocean, carbon becomes quite soluble and in places of high biological productivity, organisms convert carbon to tissues. Carbon is then released back into the atmosphere is many ways such as respiration, the decay of plant and animal matter, through combustion of organic material, burning of fossil fuels, production of cement, through volcanic eruptions, and on the ocean's surface where the water become warmer, carbon dioxide is released.

The terrestrial biosphere consists of freshwater systems and non-living organic material. Carbon is taken from and released back into the terrestrial biosphere in many ways. Living organisms, such as autotrophs and heterotrophs use carbon and release carbon as they live and feed. Most carbon leaves the biosphere through respiration. Also, the burning of biomass releases large amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere. Carbon is circulated through the biosphere through sedimentation, or the process of animal shells becoming limestone.

The oceans contain large amounts of carbon in the form of biocarbonate ion. Carbon is extremely important for controlling the pH levels in the ocean water and its reactions within water. Carbon is readily exchanging between the ocean and the atmosphere in processes known as upswelling and downswelling. Bicarbonate can combine with calcium to produce limestone, which is the largest reservior in the carbon cycle.

Reference: Carbon Cycle. Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle.