First of all, why
is the carbon cycle important?
The carbon cycle is essential for at least three reasons(Houghton, 2003):
First, carbon exists in any creature on Earth contributing up to 50% of the
dry weight of existing forms of life.
Second, the carbon cycle plays a major role for the flow of
energy inside and between the natural and human environment. As you can see in
the picture, plants convert the sun energy into chemical energy stored as
sugar, organic matter, fossils etc. supporting the food chains.
The third reason that the human have contributed on that, is
the increase of fossil fuels use. This releases carbon dioxide (CO2)
and methane (CH4), two of the most significant greenhouse gases that
effect the global temperature.
The four major reservoirs in the cycle are (Houghton, 2003):
The four major reservoirs in the cycle are (Houghton, 2003):
 |
Carbon Reservoirs and Exchange |
- Atmosphere with 780 Petagram C
- Oceans with 39000 Pg C
(X50 times more than the atmosphere)
- Reserves of fossil fuels with 10000 Pg C and
- Terrestrial ecosystems (including vegetation) with
2000 Pg C
(Almost X3 times more than the amount of the atmosphere)
Unexpected distribution of the carbon! I was surprised about the
proportion in the atmosphere compared to the
rest of the reservoirs, having in my mind the increasing carbon concentration in the air from the human activity.
General, the
carbon cycle describes the interaction among the reservoirs as you can see
below.
The
following video illustrates the carbon cycle in the ecosystems and it also gives a little taste about the impact of the humanity in this system.
To conclude, several studies and models have shown evidence of the interaction between the climate and the carbon cycle. (Friedlingstein& Prentice, 2010).
This post has shown that the Carbon is everywhere. Later in this trip in Carbonland we will further examine each reservoir as well as the human impact on the cycle.
This post has shown that the Carbon is everywhere. Later in this trip in Carbonland we will further examine each reservoir as well as the human impact on the cycle.
See you soon!
