CYCLING OF CARBON ATOMS

Life on Earth depends upon one–way flow of high–quality energy from sun & cycling of crucial elements.

CYCLING OF CARBON ATOMS

Carbon atoms are recycled through the living and non-living parts of an ecosystem.

Producers take up carbon dioxide and build this into organic molecules (sugars and starches)

Consumers eat this organic matter.

1.Draw a summarised flow chart to indicate the flow movement of carbon atoms in a terrestrial ecosystem.

CYCLING OF CARBON ATOMS

Carbon is taken up from the atmosphere by plants by photosynthesis.

Because carbon enters the atmosphere, it can move through the atmosphere on a global scale.

Basic Carbon cycle:

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Hydrosphere- water layer. Liquid, Ice, Vapor.

Lithosphere- Earth’s crust and upper mantle.

- Fossil fuels, minerals, soil chemicals.

Biosphere- biotic & abiotic factors.

Carbon Cycle

Atmosphere

HydrosphereLithosphere

Biosphere

Carbon Cycle: Reservoirs

Atmosphere

HydrosphereLithosphere

Biosphere

1x(= 7.3x1017 grams

carbon)

3x

55x35,000x

Carbon Cycle

Atmosphere

HydrosphereLithosphere

Biosphere

Photosynthesis

Respiration& Decay

Carbon Cycle

Atmosphere

HydrosphereLithosphere

Biosphere

Photosynthesis

Respiration& Decay

Burial &Lithification

Weathering& Volcanism

Dissolution

PhotosynthesisBurial &Lithification

Exsolution

Carbon Cycle

Atmosphere

HydrosphereLithosphere

Biosphere

HumanImpacts

Burning fossil fuels:Increased combustion

Deforestation:Decrease Photosynthesis

Increase Respiration

Net Effect:Increase in Carbonin Atmosphere

Carbon Cycle

Major components of aquatic ecosystems.

Fig. 4–11

Major components of terrestrial ecosystems.

Fig. 4–12

HUMAN IMPACT

• Carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere by human activities – burning fossil fuels (coal and oil). Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.

How and in what form does carbon enter and leave the cycle?

How do the roles of autotrophs and heterotrophs differ?

What are the human impacts on the cycle?