Carbon cycle

Thursday, 28 March 2024 2:07 AM

The Carbon Cycle

• Nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen are not e
• There is a finite amount of each element on the
need to be recycled to allow new organisms to
• Carbon is taken out of the atmosphere in the fo
plants to be used for photosynthesis
• It is passed on to animals (and microorganisms)
• It is returned to the atmosphere in the form of c
plants, animals and microorganisms as a result o
• If animals and plants die in conditions where de
microorganisms are not present the carbon in t
converted, over millions of years and significant
fuels
• When fossil fuels are burned (the process is kno
carbon combines with oxygen and carbon dioxi
atmosphere
• Increased use of fossil fuels is contributing to a
dioxide content of the atmosphere
• In addition, mass deforestation is reducing the
producers available to take carbon dioxide out
photosynthesis
endless resources
e planet and as such, they
be made and grow
orm of carbon dioxide by

) by feeding
carbon dioxide by
of respiration
ecomposing
their bodies can be
t pressure, into fossil

own as combustion), the

ide is released into the

an increase in the carbon

number of
of the atmosphere by
• In addition, mass deforestation is reducing the
producers available to take carbon dioxide out
photosynthesis
• This problem is exacerbated by the fact that in m

deforestation is taking place for land rather tha

themselves, and as such they are burnt down, r
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
 number of
of the atmosphere by

many areas of the world,

an for the trees
releasing yet more

carbon cycle