Energy flows from the sun into the earth, but nutrients, things organisms need to survive, like carbon and nitrogen, do not enter the earth from an outside source. That means that the same nutrients have been used to support life on earth for billions of years. When nutrients, like carbon are recycled, they are passed back and forth between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem in processes called biogeochemical cycles. If we are specifically talking about the recycling of carbon on earth – it is called the “Carbon Cycle”
The carbon cycle begins with the atmosphere, which is Earth’s major reservoir (storage) of carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2). We call the carbon dioxide that surrounds our earth, atmospheric carbon.
Carbon enters the biotic (living) part of the ecosystem through photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, producers, such as plants, take in carbon dioxide and sunlight to make the sugar they need to survive.
Next, consumers, such as animals and humans, eat the plants to get the carbon they need. When an animal eats a plant the carbon goes to the primary consumer (the animal). When an animal eats another animal consumption, (a primary consumer is eaten by the secondary consumer) carbon goes to a secondary consumer. When these same consumers breathe out during respiration, carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere.
All living things eventually die- plants and animals included. When this happens, the dead organism is broken down and their nutrients are returned to the soil through the process of decomposition/decay. Important organisms such as decomposers or detritus feeders . Detritus feeders are small organisms that live on decaying matter such as fallen leaves, dead bodies, and animal waste – for example: earthworms, mites, centipedes, and insects.
When fossil fuels are burned, such as when you drive a car, this is called combustion. Combustion releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Carbon can also be released from the combustion/burning of wood and plants that occurs during forest fires.
Sometimes the carbon that is found trapped below the earth’s surface is converted into fossil fuel, such as oil. High pressure and temperature transform carbon-containing organic matter into coal, oil, and natural gas. These fossil fuels are then used to power factories, generate electricity, and power cars that run on gasoline.
A final step of the carbon cycle is exchange with oceans. During ocean exchange, carbon dioxide from the air dissolves into the ocean which is then incorporated into the shells of mollusks and other sea creatures. When these shells decay, their carbon dissolves back into the water and can even return to the atmosphere.
Why is the carbon cycle considered a "cycle"
Because carbon is constantly recycled and never used up
Because carbon is shaped like a circle
Because carbon is created when you ride a bicycle
Most of the earth's carbon is found where?
In Water
On land
In the Atmosphere
Which is TRUE about photosynthesis
It is done by animals/consumers
It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
It is when plants use carbon dioxide to make sugar
It happens when something is burned
How do consumers get the carbon they need?
By performing photosynthesis
By eating plants and animals
By breathing in carbon dioxide
When a person breaths out CO2 what process is involved?
Combustion
Photosyntheis
Respiration
Decomposition
Which of the following is not an example of a fossil fuel
water
oil
gas
coal
When a tree dies bacteria and fungi break it down. What is this process called?
Decomposition/Decay
Combustion
Atmosphereic Carbon
Photosynthesis
Alicia is talking about the process when carbon dioxide is abosobed into the ocean. What is the name of this process?
Combustion
Ocean Exchange
Photosynthesis
Decay
A forest fire is an example of:
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Combustion
Match the process to whether it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or takes it out of the atmosphere
Photosynthesis
Combustion
Ocean Exchange
Respiration
Takes carbon out of the atmosphere
Releases carbon into the atmosphere
Match the terms with their definitions
Respiration
When plants use carbon dioxide to make sugar
Combustion
When organisms breath out carbon dioxide
Atmosphereic Carbon
When something is burned
Photosynthesis
When dead organisms are broken down
Ocean Exchange
The carbon gas that surrounds the earth
Decomposition/Decay
Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean