Definition
The circulation of carbon among
the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere,
essential for sustaining life.
Components
Involves the biological, geological, and chemical conversion and movement
of carbon.
Fast vs Slow Cycles
Distinguished into fast (biological) cycles, completing within years, and slow
(geological) cycles, taking millions of years.
Human Impact
Human activities have significantly disturbed the carbon cycle, markedly
through fossil carbon mining, contributing to climate change.
Atmospheric CO2 Increase
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased by nearly 52% over pre-
industrial levels by 2020, exacerbating global warming.
Ocean Acidification
Raised atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have lowered the ocean's pH
value, altering marine chemistry.
Here is a comprehensive overview of the carbon cycle:The carbon cycle is
the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the
biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the
Earth. It is one of the most important cycles on our planet, as carbon is the
fundamental building block of life.The carbon cycle can be divided into two
main components:
1. The fast (or biological) carbon cycle:
This cycle operates on shorter timescales, from days to decades.
It involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, living
organisms, and soils/oceans.
Key processes include photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and the
dissolution/outgassing of CO2 in the oceans.
2. The slow (or geological) carbon cycle:
This cycle operates on much longer timescales, from thousands to millions of
years.
It involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and the
Earth's crust and mantle.
Key processes include weathering of rocks, burial of organic carbon, volcanic
outgassing, and the formation/subduction of sedimentary rocks.
The main reservoirs or "sinks" of carbon include:
Atmosphere (as CO2)
Terrestrial biosphere (plants, animals, soils)
Oceans (dissolved inorganic and organic carbon)
Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
Carbon is constantly cycled between these reservoirs through various
physical, chemical, and biological processes. Human activities, such as the
burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly disrupted the
natural carbon cycle, leading to an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels and
global climate change.Understanding and modeling the complex interactions
within the carbon cycle is crucial for predicting and mitigating the impacts of
human-induced climate change.
