assignment carbon cycle that exists on land
- 1. The diagram explains about carbon cycle that exists on land. Carbon Cycle is a biogeochemical cycle where various carbon compounds are interchanged among the various layers of the earth, namely, the biosphere, geosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. There are 4 main steps in this carbon cycle. Carbon Cycle
- 2. The first step of the process is carbon enters the atmosphere through natural processes such as respiration and industrial applications such as burning fossil fuels or combustion. After that, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is taken up by the green plants and other photosynthetic organisms. The process of photosynthesis involves the absorption of CO2 by plants to produce carbohydrates. At this point, carbon dioxide enters the plant through the stomata and carbon dioxide is incorporated into containing carbon compounds with the help of energy from sunlight. The equation for the photosynthesis process is as follows: CO2 + H2O + energy → (CH2O)n +O2
- 3. This is followed by carbon compounds are passed along the food chain from the producers to consumers. The majority of the carbon atoms are then released as carbon dioxide when organisms respire. Following this, these animals and plants in food chain eventually die, and upon decomposing, carbon is released back into the atmosphere. In the decomposition process, The role of decomposers is to eat the dead organism and return the carbon from their body back into the atmosphere by respiration. The equation for this process is: (CH2O)n +O2 → CO2 + H2O
- 4. Some of the carbon that is not released back into the atmosphere because decomposition is blocked eventually become fossil fuels. The formation of fossil fuels and sedimentary rocks contribute to the carbon cycle for very long periods. Finally, these fossil fuels are then used for combustion again, which pumps more carbon back into the atmosphere.