THE CARBON CYCLE
Carbon is one of the most important chemicals in our ecosystem since most materials living and non-living contains carbon. Most of the carbon on Earth is found in the atmosphere is in the form of carbon dioxide, CO2.
Processes that release CO2 into the environment are:
1. Respiration of living organisms,
2. Combustion or burning of fossil fuels (emissions from industries and vehicles)
3. Decay of dead organisms like plants and animals.
Fossil fuels are natural resources which are formed by the remains of dead organisms buried over millions of years. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. When these fossil fuels are burned, the bonds are broken and large amounts of heat energy and carbon dioxide gas are released into the atmosphere.
Processes that remove CO2 from the environment are:
This continuous release and removal of carbon from the atmosphere creates the Carbon Cycle.
Processes that release CO2 into the environment are:
1. Respiration of living organisms,
2. Combustion or burning of fossil fuels (emissions from industries and vehicles)
3. Decay of dead organisms like plants and animals.
Fossil fuels are natural resources which are formed by the remains of dead organisms buried over millions of years. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. When these fossil fuels are burned, the bonds are broken and large amounts of heat energy and carbon dioxide gas are released into the atmosphere.
Processes that remove CO2 from the environment are:
- Photosynthesis of plants (plants take in CO2 and water to make glucose and oxygen using sunlight and chlorophyll)
- Storage of carbon compounds in animals
- Storage of carbon compounds in fossil fuels
This continuous release and removal of carbon from the atmosphere creates the Carbon Cycle.
Activity
- Is the carbon cycle important to you?
- In one sentence state the importance of the carbon cycle to you?
- Post the sentence you wrote on the weebly website.