Post on 10-Feb-2016
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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?