The Carbon Cycle

Justice Hunter, Tionni Hill, Karman Lam, Jane Kim, Jessica Gold, Kelsey

O’Callaghan, Camille Tucker, Brittany Edghill

Carbon Atom

• Atomic Number = 6

• Atomic Symbol = C• Atomic Weight =

12.011• 3 Forms of

allotropic carbon: graphite, diamond,

fullerines

Carbon

Cycle

Introduction

• The carbon cycle involves all aspects of the world like the atmosphere, soil, and water.

• Humans, plants, and animals also contribute to the cycle.

• The carbon cycle is a closed system which means that there is a fixed amount of carbon in the world.

Soil

• All ecological cycles involves soil.

• These cycles include the nitrogen cycle, the water cycle, and the nutrient cycle.

• It is thought that more carbon is stored in the worlds’ soil than is circulated in the atmosphere.

Soil in the Carbon Cycle

• Soil benefits the carbon cycle through photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.

• Carbon is absorbed through photosynthesis and decomposition.

• It releases the carbon back into the atmosphere through respiration.

Fossil Fuels• Fossil Fuels are

coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline.

• They are used by industry, power plants, and automobiles.

• They release carbon into the atmosphere.

• The Carbon does not return which unbalances the system.

Carbonic Acid• Oceans take CO2 from the atmosphere.• The CO2 dissolves in the water to create

carbonic acid. • CO2+H2O=H2CO3 (carbonic acid)• The carbonic acid then disassociates into

hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.• The hydrogen ions react with and alter

most common minerals.• The weathering of these minerals results

in clays and soluble ions like calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium.

Water• Bones & shells of

marine animals collect on the sea floor.

• Bones & shells are made up of limestone, which contain carbon.

• They are deposited on the sea floor, and stored from the carbon cycle for many years.

•Carbon is released back into the atmosphere if the limestone is metamorphosed or it is melted. •The amount of limestone that can be deposited depends on the amount of warm, tropical & shallow oceans on the planet.

Carbon Dioxide

• The primary gas of the carbon cycle (DUH!)

• Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through: plants, animals, factory emissions, & even us, humans

The Green House Effect

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas

• The atmosphere has not held this

much carbon for at least 420,000

years! • Carbon dioxide and

other greenhouse gases cause our

planet to become warmer

How do we affect the cycle and the effect?

• Through combustion, we influence both the carbon cycle and the green house effect.

• Through deforestation, we emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

They All Work Together

The carbon cycle only

works and is because of the water, oxygen, nitrogen

cycles. They all work

together.

How does the carbon cycle

make the earth a dynamic system?