1. Where is Carbon Stored?
Short Term Stores:
Land and marine animals and plants and in decaying organic matter.
Atmosphere as CO2 and in the upper layer of the ocean in its dissolved form.
Long Term Stores:
In water: Intermediate and deep depths of the ocean
On land: coal, oil gas deposits (fossil fuels) dead plants and animals
Largest stores are found in SEDIMENTARY ROCK (eg: limestone)

2. How is carbon cycled through ecosystems?
1. Photosynthesis 2. Respiration 3. Decomposition 4. Ocean Processes 5. Volcanic eruptions and large scale forest fires

3. 1. Photosynthesis
Chemical process that cycles both C and O2 through ecosystems.
Process where CO2 in the atmosphere enters the leaves of plants and reacts with water in the presence of sunlight to produce carbohydrates (glucose) and O2 :
Consumers eat producers and obtain energy from them in the form of carbohydrates
Some micro-organisms such as cyanobacteria use photosynthesis, not just green plants for energy!

4. 2. Cellular Respiration
Process where animals and plants (in the absence of light) release CO2 into the atmosphere by converting O2 and glucose (C6H12O6) into CO2 and water: C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6CO2 + 6 H2O + energy

5. 3. Decomposition The breaking down of dead organic matter
Decomposers include: bacteria, fungi, insects, worms (aka Detrivores).
They breakdown cellulose (plant matter) and in the process convert it into CO2

6. 4. Ocean Processes
Ocean currents and colder oceans found at high latitudes cause more carbon to be retained as it sinks deeper into the depths of the ocean.
These deeper carbon rich currents move slowly to the tropics where it gradually is warmed and is released back into the tropical atmosphere:

7. Carbon in the Ocean

8. 5. Volcanic Eruptions and Forest Fires
Carbon is released from volcanoes due to the melting of sedimentary rock, a rich store of carbon into the atmosphere
Forest fires due to the rapid burning of trees releases carbon into the atmosphere.

9. 6. Human Activities
Activities such as: industry, motorized transportation, land clearing, agriculture, urban expansion
Have a negative impact on the carbon cycle
Since 1850 (industrial revolution) carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere has increased by 30%
We are producing more carbon than the natural carbon cycle can store it.