Question

Describe in detail the global carbon cycle including the major reservoirs and the processes that move carbon from one reservoir to another.  Draw a picture of the carbon cycle including photosynthesis, respiration, and burning of fossil fuels.  Make sure you can tell me how people impact carbon.

please type the answer I have difficulty reading the answers, thank you.

Answer 1

Global carbon cycle is the exchange or intercoversion of carbon within and between the major reservoirs. The major reservoirs include :

1. Atmosphere- Carbon is present in atmosphere as Carbondioxide. It plays major role in maintaining atmospheric temperature, also helps in weathering of rocks and source of carbon for plants. The concentration of CO2 is nearly 412ppm and is increasing day by day.Which leads to global warming. Whereas at the time of Industrial age it was only 280ppm.
2. Lithosphere (rocks)-in the rocks carbon mainly occurs as carbonates (CO32-) containing Mg2+ or Ca2+. Lithosphere contain largest amount of carbon.
3. Oceans- carbon present as inorganic type which include bicarbonates, carbonates and carbondioxide(about 93% of carbon is found in ocean).
4. Fossil fuel- they are the valuable source of energy because they contains hydrocarbons. Mainly includes petroleum, natural gas and coal.fossi fuel includes both volatile and non volatile materials.

The processes that helps carbon to move from one reservoir to other are :

• Respiration
• Sedimentation
• Decomposition
• Combustion
• Photosynthesis
• Underwater volcanoes
• Erosion
• Weathering etc

Peoples impact on carbon cycle :

Human activities play a major role in carbon cycle.

• Emission of burned fossil fuels into atmosphere cause rise in CO2 concentration. It may leads to global warming
• Deforestation
• Using limestone for various purposes
• Carbon sequestration etc.