The Carbon Cycle The movement of carbon between the 4 “spheres” of earth: biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere (“sphere” means “area”) The amount of carbon on earth does not change. The carbon just moves from one place to another.

Biosphere “Bio” = life The area of the earth that contains living organisms (plants and animals).

Atmosphere “Atmos” = vapor (gas) The area of the earth that is gaseous (made of gas). The air around us.

Hydrosphere “Hydro” = water The area of the earth that are water: Oceans Lakes Rivers

Geosphere (Lithosphere) “Geo” and “lithos” = rock The area of the earth that are solid (made of rock)

Where is Carbon in our Environment? CO2 in the atmosphere CO2 dissolved in water Carbonate rocks (example: limestone) Deposits of coal, petroleum and natural gas (fossil fuels) Living organisms (plants and animals) Dead organic matter (found in soil) ** CO2 = Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Sink or Source? CARBON SINK = Anything that takes CO2 out of the atmosphere CARBON SOURCE = Anything that puts CO2 into the atmosphere

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Photosynthesis (Carbon Sink) Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is pulled out of the air and the carbon is used by plants to grow.

“Organic” (Living) Carbon (Neutral: not a sink or source) Carbon moves from plants to animals. Carbon in plants moves to animals that eat them. Animals that eat other animals get carbon from their food, too.

Death and Burial (Carbon Sink) Carbon moves from plants and animals to the ground Plants and animals die and decay putting carbon into the ground. Some get buried very deep and will become fossil fuels in millions and millions of years.

Respiration (Carbon Source) Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. All living things produce carbon dioxide (CO2). Animals and plants get rid of carbon dioxide gas through a process called respiration (breathing).

Burning Fossil Fuels (Carbon Source) Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when they are burned. When we burn fossil fuels, carbon enters the atmosphere as CO2. Each year, 5.5 billion tons of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels. (That’s the weight of 100 million elephants!)

Ocean Uptake (Carbon Sink) Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans soak up (dissolve) some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Carbon Cycle The movement of carbon between the _____________, _____________, ___________ and _____________.

Carbon in the environment CO2 in the ___________ and dissolved in _______ ______________ (limestone, marble and coral) as CaCO3 (__________________) Deposits of _____, __________________ _________derived from once living things Living organisms (__________________) _____________________ (humus in soil)

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants. (Carbon Sink) With the help of the Sun, through the process of ____________, carbon dioxide (CO2) is pulled out of the ____ to make plant food from ______.

Carbon moves from plants to animals. Through __________, the carbon that is in ______ moves to the ________ that eat them. Animals that eat other animals get the carbon from their food too. THE CARBON CYCLE PHYSICAL SCIENCE - MR. LEWIS

Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. (Carbon Source) Each time you exhale, you are releasing __________ gas (CO2) into the __________. Animals and plants get rid of carbon dioxide gas through a process called _________.

Carbon moves from plants and animals to the ground (Carbon Sink) When _______________ die, their bodies, wood and leaves _______ bringing the carbon into the ground. Some becomes buried km underground and will become ___________ in millions and millions of years.

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. (Carbon Sink) The oceans, and other bodies of water, _______________ some carbon dioxide from the __________.

Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned. (Carbon Source) When we ________________ most of the carbon enters the atmosphere as (CO2) . Each year, __________ tons of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels. That’s the weight of ___________ adult African elephants!

Processes involved in carbon exchange Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during ________________ fill in blank circle correct (Sink / Source) Animals and Plants release CO2 during ____________(Sink / Source) CO2 can be _________ in the oceans (Sink / Source) Burning of ______________ releases CO2 into the atmosphere (Sink / Source) Changing land use (deforestation, agriculture) _________ CO2 into the atmosphere (Sink / Source)