Carbon can be found in many forms like graphite diamond, carbon dioxide, carbonates, etc. In the atmosphere, carbon is mainly found in form of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can be evolved into the air by human or animal respiration, the burning of fossil fuels, or respiration by plants. Carbon dioxide can be consumed by plants in the manufacture of organic compounds. In this article, we will look at the definition and explain the carbon cycle using the diagram.
Carbon cycle definition
The carbon cycle explains the movement of carbon in elements (e.g., graphite) and combined states (e.g., carbon dioxide) on Earth. The source of the carbon found in living matter is carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air or dissolved in water. It is also found in various minerals in the form of carbonates (e.g.: calcium carbonate).
Carbon cycle diagram
The given diagram shows the pathway, the flow, and the sources of carbon in the atmosphere.
Explanation of carbon cycle
Carbon is a part of the atmosphere, rocks, and seawater. On Earth, carbon is able to move from one of these realms to another as a part of the carbon cycle. The steps of the carbon cycle are given below:
- Carbon, at first moves from the atmosphere to plants. Carbon gets attached to oxygen in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide. Through the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from acid to produce food made from carbon for plant growth.
- Carbon moves from plants to animals. Through the food chain, the carbon in plants moved to the animals that eat them.
- Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. After exhaling, we release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Carbon in fossil fuels gets converted into carbon dioxide and evolves into the atmosphere when fuels are burned. A massive amount- 3.3 billion tons- of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels. Most of the remainder becomes dissolved in seawater.
- Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. In the oceans and other water bodies of water, we absorb some carbon from the atmosphere, which is dissolved into the water.
- Carbon dioxide moves through our planet over a longer time scale as well. They can also be released back to the character of the limestone melts or metamorphosed in a subduction zone.
Types of the carbon cycle
The carbon cycle is classified into two types mainly based on the duration of the process:
•Short term – They occur in a short period of time – sometimes days, months, or years for the carbon to get reserved. The excess of carbon from the short-term cycle is stored for a long time before getting released.
• Long-term – They take thousands of years to occur. The excess of carbon from the short-term cycle is stored for a long time before getting released.
Impacts of change in the carbon cycle
The change in the carbon cycle can have a huge impact on our planet Earth. Excess carbon production warms the planet and helps the plants to grow more. They also cause more acidity in oceans which puts marine life in danger. The excess of carbon dioxide doesn’t increase global warming right away. They soak up the ocean when the temperature of Earth increases by at least another 0.6 degrees Celsius. They can also cause damage to marine organisms. The shells of crustaceans become thinner and more fragile.
What is the carbon footprint?
Carbon footprint is the number of greenhouse gases that our actions produce. For example, the usage of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial production, etc will eventually increase our carbon footprint. We can reduce our carbon footprint by reducing our power usage or shifting to renewable sources of energy etc.
Image by Aline Dassel from Pixabay
Importance of carbon cycle
Carbon is an important aspect to survival on Earth. If it becomes disturbed, it will cause serious consequences such as climatic changes and global warming. The carbon cycle should be balanced as they cause severe consequences such as :
- The increased amount of carbon dioxide can insulate the Earth which causes the temperature to rise. This can lead to global warming and change in climatic conditions.
- The release of a large amount of carbon can also cause health problems, disturbing natural processes.
- It can also cause an imbalance in the concentration of oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
- The imbalance of carbon can cause damage to other living organisms and stops metabolic and other processes.
- Carbon is also essential for other factors which influence their process.
- It also helps in the formation of fossil fuels and sedimentary rocks lead to the process of the carbon cycle for a very long period of time.
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
Deforestation has a huge impact on the balance of carbon in our atmosphere. The whole carbon cycle can be affected due to deforestation(cutting of trees) and lead to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The photosynthesis of plants takes in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into organic compounds. But in the absence of trees, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases and thus increasing the temperature of our planet Earth. This eventually leads to the melting of ice in polar areas which may cause natural disasters.
Image by 358611 from Pixabay
How do humans affect the carbon cycle?
Human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, etc can disrupt the carbon cycle. These activities increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to adverse impacts on the planet. Our other activities such as the use of renewable fuels, afforestation, etc can lead to the balancing of the carbon dioxide amounts in the air. This will help in reducing climate change and other related natural disasters.
