A constant interaction between the biotic and abiotic

components of the biosphere makes it a dynamic, but a

stable system. Such interactions include transfer of matter

and energy between the different components of the

biosphere.

The nutrient elements derived from the Earth by the living

organisms, for their growth and metabolism are called

biogeochemicals. These biogeochemicals are continuously

recycled. The movement of nutrient elements through the

living and non-living components of biosphere, is called

biogeochemical cycle of matter. The term ‘biogeochemical

cycle’ indicates that chemicals circulate through life(bio)

and through Earth(geo) again and again(cycles). The

biogeochemical cycles are also known as nutrient cycles.

Today I am going to present the powerpoint presentation

on the topic of The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is an element…

It is the 6th element in the periodic table…..

The basic building blocks of humans, animals and plants and some

greenhouse gases

They are also found in rocks, oceans, atmosphere

The carbon cycle plays an important role to earth. As humans are

trying to change the cycle, life on earth will be dangerously affected.

Trees and plant life helps to prevent carbon from building in one place.

To fulfill the ever growing consumption demands of natural resources,

humans are cutting down more trees. The carbon dioxide collected by

these trees returns to the atmosphere and oceans. It increases the

level of greenhouse gases, increasing the greenhouse effect, trapping

heat into a planet and increasing global warming.

Carbon gets into the atmosphere from the soil, waste products,

decomposing animals, burning sediment from the earth and events like

a volcanic eruption. Some of this carbon goes into the ocean and some

to the atmosphere. Plants found on land and phytoplankton found in

the ocean absorb carbon during photosynthesis, thus creating

carbohydrates and sugars. When land animals and marine life consume

plants or phytoplankton, carbon is obtained from photosynthesis.

Organisms release this carbon when they breathe, create waste

products, die or decompose. Carbon then returns to the soil and is

released into the atmosphere and some forms into rocks.

Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere-When animals exhale, they release carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. Animals and plants get rid of

carbon dioxide through a process known as respiration.

Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned- Fossil fuels are burned in power factories, power plants, cars and trucks with most of the carbon existing in carbon dioxide gas. The carbon from these fuels enters the atmosphere

and most becomes dissolved in seawater.

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans-The ocean and other water bodies absorb carbon

from the atmosphere.

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants-Carbon is combined with a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. With the sun’s aid and photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from the

air to make plant food using the carbon.

Carbon moves from plants to animals- The carbon that is in plants moves to the animals that eat them. These animals are eaten by other animals

and the carbon moves to these carnivores through the food chain.

Carbon moves from plants and animals to the ground- The bodies, wood and leaves of plants and animals decay when they die. This brings carbon

into the ground which becomes fossil fuels.

FLOWCHART OF CARBON CYCLECarbon in Atmosphere

Plants use carbon to make food

Animals eat plants and take

in carbon

Plants and animals die

Decomposers break down dead things,

releasing carbon to atmosphere and

soil

Bodies not decomposed — after many years, become part of oil or coal

deposits

Fossil fuels are burned; carbon is

returned to atmosphere

Carbon slowly released from these substances returns

to atmosphere

It is critical to the food chain-If plants and other

organisms who photosynthesize were not able to get

carbon, they would die as they could not produce

food. This would result in other organisms that

depend on them for food dying.

Carbon is found in the oceans, forests and the

atmosphere known as sinks. These areas would collect

dangerous levels of carbon without the carbon cycle.

This would most likely kill living organisms that live in

this area.

The cycle is important as it allows carbon to flow

from areas where it is collected into other areas of

the earth.

Fossil fuels release carbon stores very

slowly

Burning anything releases more

carbon into atmosphere-especially fossil

fuels

Increased carbon dioxide in

atmosphere increases global warming

Fewer plants mean less CO2

removed from atmosphere

BIBLIOGRAPHYFor this project, I have taken help of a number of

resources . Some of them are:

Internet (Wikipedia)

Google Images

Reference Books

I want to thank our subject teacher to give us such a

knowledgeable project. I also want to thank my parents in

helping me in a lot of way.