Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle

The troposphere layer of the atmosphere is made up of 0.035% carbon dioxide in gaseous form.

Carbon dioxide is first removed from the atmosphere when green plants carry out photosynthesis. This is the process by which green plants obtain food and requires carbon dioxide together with water to produce oxygen and glucose.

Animals then eat these green plants and respire to produce energy in the process of respiration these animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. When these animals die they decompose and microorganisms also respire and release carbon dioxide. Years after decomposition, fossilization occurs and these fossils are then used by industries to produce fossil fuels. These fossil fuels are combusted and release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

There's a significant amount of carbon stored in the world's oceans and this is referred to as a carbon sink.

Throughout the cycle, the same carbon atoms move around since the beginning of existence and thus all organisms are connected by carbon atoms including humans.

The diagram below portrays how carbon is cycled.

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