NaimaRasul

PlantandEnvironmentalProtection

Carbon is the fourth most abundant chemical element

in the universe.
Estimation is that carbon forms 0.032% of the Earths
crust.
It forms the building blocks of the living world along
with hydrogen and oxygen.
The natural gas deposits contain compounds formed by
carbon and hydrogen.
Organic matter is mostly carbon.

Carbon cycle is the Biogeochemical cycle by which

carbon is exchanged among the hydrosphere,
geosphere and atmosphere.
Steps Of Carbon cycle
Plants Use Carbon Dioxide
Plants pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use
it to make food.
The carbon becomes part of the plant.
Animals Eat Plants
When organisms eat plants, they take in the carbon and
some of it becomes part of their own bodies.

Plants and Animal Die

When plants and animals die, most of their bodies are
decomposed and carbon atoms are returned to the
atmosphere.
Some are not decomposed fully and end up in
deposits underground (oil, coal, etc.).
Carbon Slowly Returns to Atmosphere
Carbon in rocks and underground deposits is released
very slowly into the atmosphere.

Carbon in Atmosphere

Decomposers break
down dead things,
releasing carbon to
atmosphere and
soil

Fossil fuels are

burned; carbon
is returned to
atmosphere
Carbon slowly
released from
these substances
returns to
atmosphere

Plants use
carbon to make
food

Plants and
animals die

Bodies not
decomposed
after many
years, become
part of oil or coal
deposits

Animals eat
plants and
take in carbon

http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/
c.htm#ixzz2QXqG19gR
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-carboncycle-steps.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle