The Carbon Cycle

Reservoirs, Processes, and Human Impacts

If it’s in GREEN>>>

Write it down!!

Notes: The Carbon Cycle

SWBAT:

List the locations of carbon reservoirs and describe different forms of carbon in these locations (e.g. CO2, carbonate rock (limestone), living tissue)

Describe processes that move carbon between reservoirs (burning of fossil fuels, erosion, photosynthesis, respiration, etc.)

Describe positive and negative consequences of human impacts on the carbon cycle (acidification, deforestation, planting trees, driving cars, etc.)

THE CARBON CYCLECarbon cycles through abiotic factors on earth. It is stored in reservoirs of fossil fuels, the atmosphere, water, carbonate rock and magma. It is released through erosion, volcanic activity, human actions, and equilibrium between water and atmosphere.

Carbon also cycles through biotic factors on earth. Reservoirs include living tissue (biomass) of all organisms. Processes that move carbon include respiration and photosynthesis.

Go back to the previous slide. . .

• Make two columns in your journal. Label one column as “reservoirs” and the other column as “processes”.

• List the reservoirs and processes from the previous slide.

• Note each as abiotic (A) or biotic (B).

Biotic Factors in the Carbon Cycle. . .

In our lab, we did not talk about photosynthesis or respiration. These are two important processes in the carbon cycle that move carbon from one place to another.

RESPIRATION

Respiration is the process of using carbon molecules (glucose) for life’s processes. It results in a release of CO2 into the atmosphere (or water). ALL ORGANISMS RESPIRE.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photosynthesis is the process of taking in sunlight and converting it another form of energy (glucose or sugar), using CO2 from the atmosphere (or water) in the process. ONLY PRODUCERS ARE ABLE TO PHOTOSYNTHESIZE.

More about this later. . .

We will study more about these in the next unit.

What would you add to your carbon cycle poster? Think about it for a few seconds. . .

Human Impacts

Humans have both positive and negative impacts on the carbon cycle.

Positive Impacts

Composting—allowing organic waste products (such as leftover food, lawn clippings and leaves) to decompose. Compost is rich in nutrients—nitrogen and carbon in particular. This compost is then put back in the soil to help plants grow.

By putting waste products back into the earth instead of throwing them away, humans can positively impact the carbon, nitrogen AND water cycles.

How do you think this helps the water cycle?

Negative Impacts

Fossil Fuels

Deforestation

Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels were formed very long ago from plant or animal remains that were buried, compressed, and transformed into oil, coal, or natural gas. Immense amounts of carbon are stored in fossil fuels.

Humans impact the carbon cycle during the combustion of any type of fossil fuel, which may include oil, coal, or natural gas.

By mining and burning fossil fuels, humans speed the release of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Deforestation

Trees and plants store an immense amount of carbon in their living tissue.

They are also able to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere in the process of photosynthesis.

Every hour, at least 4,500 acres of forest fall to chain saws, machetes, flames, or bulldozers. Population growth, poverty, and unequal access to land are among the major causes of deforestation. Forestry Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Double-edged swordWhen deforestation occurs, there are major consequences:

The carbon stored in the biomass of the organisms is released through burning or decomposition.

The producers are no longer available to take up CO2 from the atmosphere.

How does planting trees support the carbon cycle?

How do you think deforestation affects the water cycle and the nitrogen cycle? (Remember transpiration? Talk about this in your table groups!)

QUESTION

True or False:

Rainforests are the principle source of

carbon dioxide uptake.

FALSE

Algae in the oceans are most responsible for CO2 uptake.

Surprised?

We will look at the consequences of this beginning tomorrow.