THE CARBON CYCLE

Carbon is a basic component of natural organic substances such as carbohydrates,

lipids and proteins in plants. This element is initially obtained in the form of
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by plants. Apart from the atmosphere, carbon
also exists in large quantities in the form of carbonates in the ocean, rocks and
soil.
Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is used by green plants during
photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is reduced to organic compounds with the help of
sunlight which is absorbed by the chlorophyll in green plants.
Substances such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are used as respiratory
substrates or form body tissues. The carbon in these substances is returned to the
atmosphere through respiration or tissue breakdown (decay) by saprophytic
organisms.
The carbon present in plants which are eaten by animals, is also returned to the
atmosphere through animal respiration and tissue breakdown.
It must be noted here that not all dead plants and animals are decomposed. Under
certain conditions, the remains of dead plants and animals become peat and are
buried in layers of sediment. Over time, as a result of the continuous pressure on
the layers of earths crust, these remains become coal and crude oil (petroleum).
When coal is exposed to the earths surface or petroleum flows out, some of the
carbon in them is released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide as a
result of microorganism respiration. Apart from that, carbon is also released in the
form of carbon dioxide when these substances are used as fuel.
Animal remains including terrestrial and marine animal skeletons such as corals
and gastropods are deposited as limestone and marble, which may be exposed by
chemical weathering agents. The chemical weathering process breaks down
limestone and marble and returns the carbon in them to the atmosphere in the
form of carbon dioxide.
The movement of carbon from the environment to the organisms and back to the
environment is known as the carbon cycle.