The carbon Cycle

1. The carbon Cycle

2. Carbon • Life is based on the carbon atom – key compound in carbs, fats, and proteins.

3. Carbon • Life is based on the carbon atom – key compound in carbs, fats, and proteins. • Most is stored as limestone in oceans, rocks and soil. Not readily available, unless up-welling of ocean sediment when it re-dissolves in water.

4. Carbon • Life is based on the carbon atom – key compound in carbs, fats, and proteins. • Most is stored as limestone in oceans, rocks and soil. Not readily available, unless up-welling of ocean sediment when it re-dissolves in water. ** Good fishing areas where there is an up-welling as phytoplankton multiply very well here hence increasing the food chains.

5. Atmospheric carbon • Only 0.036% of air. Used for photosynthesis for all plants on land.

6. Fossil Fuels • Coal, oil and natural gas all contain carbon.

7. Carbon • Only 2% of the carbon available is in the air and soil. 98% of the carbon is dissolved in the ocean waters.

8. The carbon cycle • Only plants can fix C02 (photosynthesis) into organic molecules needed by all living things.

9. The carbon cycle • Only plants can fix C02 (photosynthesis) into organic molecules needed by all living things. • The carbon then passes through the food chain as food.

10. The carbon cycle • Only plants can fix C02 (photosynthesis) into organic molecules needed by all living things. • The carbon then passes through the food chain as food. • All living organisms, at each step, eventually break down the organic molecules by respiration – this releases C02 back into the atmosphere.

11. The carbon cycle • Only plants can fix C02 (photosynthesis) into organic molecules needed by all living things. • The carbon then passes through the food chain as food. • All living organisms, at each step, eventually break down the organic molecules by respiration – this releases C02 back into the atmosphere. • Also, C02 locked in the bodies of organisms millions of years ago is released when coal, oil, and natural gas are burnt.

12. How humans affect the carbon cycle • Burning down forests – removes C02 absorption by photosynthesis, and increases C02 given out by combustion

13. How humans affect the carbon cycle • Burning down forests – removes C02 absorption by photosynthesis, and increases C02 given out by combustion • Burn fossil fuels such as coal, and also wood

14. How humans affect the carbon cycle • Burning down forests – removes C02 absorption by photosynthesis, and increases C02 given out by combustion • Burn fossil fuels such as coal, and also wood • Burn petrol, diesel, oil in machines and factories.

15. Global warming & the greenhouse effect • Some of the incoming radiation is reflected off the ozone layer.

16. Global warming & the greenhouse effect • Some of the incoming radiation is reflected off the ozone layer. • The rest comes into the atmosphere and turned into heat and reflected back out of the atmosphere.

17. Global warming & the greenhouse effect • Some of the incoming radiation is reflected off the ozone layer. • The rest comes into the atmosphere and turned into heat and reflected back out of the atmosphere. • C02 and water vapour can absorb heat waves and reflect them back to earth – prevents them being lost to space, (like a big greenhouse)

18. Global warming & the greenhouse effect • Some of the incoming radiation is reflected off the ozone layer. • The rest comes into the atmosphere and turned into heat and reflected back out of the atmosphere. • C02 and water vapour can absorb heat waves and reflect them back to earth – prevents them being lost to space, (like a big greenhouse) • If not for this effect, the earths temp has been estimated to be -18 degrees.

19. Global warming & the greenhouse effect • Some of the incoming radiation is reflected off the ozone layer. • The rest comes into the atmosphere and turned into heat and reflected back out of the atmosphere. • C02 and water vapour can absorb heat waves and reflect them back to earth – prevents them being lost to space, (like a big greenhouse) • If not for this effect, the earths temp has been estimated to be -18 degrees. • Because we burn everything, this increases C02 emissions = increase in earth’s temp.