Carbon is the chemical backbone of all life on Earth.

All of the carbon we currently have on Earth is the

same amount we have always had. When new life is formed, carbon forms key molecules like protein
and DNA. It's also found in our atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide or CO2. The carbon cycle is
nature's way of reusing carbon atoms, which travel from the atmosphere into organisms in the Earth
and then back into the atmosphere over and over again. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments,
while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. These are the reservoirs, or
sinks, through which carbon cycles. The ocean is a giant carbon sink that absorbs carbon. Marine
organisms from marsh plants to fish, from seaweed to birds, also produce carbon through living and
dying. Over millions of years, dead organisms can become fossil fuels. When humans burn these fuels
for energy, vast amounts of carbon dioxide are released back into the atmosphere. This excess carbon
dioxide changes our climate — increasing global temperatures, causing ocean acidification, and
disrupting the planet’s ecosystems.

The carbon cycle is the movement of the element carbon between the atmosphere, Earth,
water, and all living organisms on the planet. Carbon is one of the most critical elements for life
- it is an essential component of all living things, the Earth, and the atmosphere. Carbon can
form four different bonds with other atoms and thus can support a wide range of molecules.
The utility of those molecules helps support the creation of living things.

Carbon also makes up much of the rocks and fossil fuels found on the Earth. Carbon forms long
chains with hydrogen that make up the composition of oil, coal, and other identifiable fossil
fuels on Earth. In the oceans, sea organisms can use carbon to create their shells. As the
animals perish, the carbon compresses into rock and other geological formations.

The atmosphere contains the element carbon as carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is essential
because it is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. The
trapped heat increases the global temperature of Earth and causes climate change.
The carbon cycle is a series of events that involves the cyclic movement
and transformation of carbon between living organisms and the
environment. Basically, three major carbon-bearing reservoirs exist in
the planet: the lithosphere (land), the hydrosphere (water), and the
atmosphere (air).
All of which are acted upon out by the biosphere (living organisms).
Living organisms, in general, play an important role in maintaining the
balance between the other reservoirs.
The entry of carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere
marks the start of the carbon cycle. Before this, carbon dioxide goes
through the process of respiration (process by which organisms
release energy from their food) and combustion (process of burning).
Such processes both involve the releasing carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere.
Aerobic cellular respiration is when cells use oxygen and glucose to create energy, water, and
carbon dioxide as waste products. All living things do cellular respiration to make energy, and
thus all living things produce carbon dioxide. The increase in animals also increases cellular
respiration and thus carbon dioxide production into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere acts like a greenhouse gas, trapping longwave radiation or heat waves. Carbon
dioxide absorbs this energy, which causes the molecule to vibrate. The energy is then released
back in the direction of Earth. This release increases the temperature on Earth. This process is
causing global warming, which is causing drastic changes to weather patterns on Earth.

The next step is the entry of the carbon dioxide in the photosynthetic
process. Photosynthetic organisms like plants and algae (called as
producers) transform carbon dioxide into sugars for energy use and for
their own reproduction.
Following the above step is the entry of the carbon compounds from the
plants (producers) themselves to the food chain. Once consumed, carbon
dioxide is released into the atmosphere because of cell respiration. In turn, this
CO2 produced from respiring cells can be used in photosynthesis again.
The next step is the return of the carbon to the atmosphere due to the
decomposers (bacteria and fungi) eating the dead bodies of animals.
This is because the process of decomposition gives off carbon dioxide as
a by-product. For example, coal, oil, and natural gas (methane) are some of
the common fossil fuels. Over the long term, the decomposition of dead
matter generates these fossil fuel products.

Anaerobic decomposition involves bacteria breaking down organic matter

such as glucose into CO2 and methane (CH4). The nutrient cycle recycles
inorganic and organic material in the soil through the process of
decomposition. Then, it goes back again through the same process again.

The oceans also exchange carbon with the atmosphere by absorbing carbon, which
then sinks as it cools. In addition, carbon is stored in rocks and other geological
deposits.

Humans have a huge effect on the carbon cycle when we burn wood, fossil fuels (such
as oil, coal, and natural gas), and other forms of carbon. This action releases the stored
carbon into the atmosphere, where it becomes a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases are
gases in the atmosphere that absorb and release heat.
Nitrogen is essential to life because it is a key component of proteins and
nucleic acids. Nitrogen occurs in many forms and is continuously cycled among
Although nitrogen is very abundant in
these forms by a variety of bacteria.
the atmosphere, it is largely inaccessible in this form to most organisms
Nitrogen Fixation
It is the initial step of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen fixation is the process by which
gaseous nitrogen (N2) is converted to ammonia (NH3 or NH4+) via biological
fixation or nitrate (NO3-) through high-energy physical processes. N2 is
extremely stable and a great deal of energy is required to break the bonds that
join the two N atoms. During the process of Nitrogen fixation, the inert form of nitrogen gas is
deposited into soils from the atmosphere and surface waters, mainly through precipitation.
The entire process of Nitrogen fixation is completed by symbiotic bacteria, which are known as
Diazotrophs. Azotobacter and Rhizobium also have a major role in this process. These bacteria consist of a
nitrogenase enzyme, which has the capability to combine gaseous nitrogen with hydrogen to form ammonia.

Nitrification
In this process, the ammonia is converted into nitrate by the presence of bacteria in the soil. Nitrites are
formed by the oxidation of ammonia with the help of Nitrosomonas bacteria species. Later, the produced
nitrites are converted into nitrates by Nitrobacter. This conversion is very important as ammonia gas is toxic
for plants.

Assimilation
Assimilation is the process by which plants and animals incorporate the NO3-
and ammonia formed through nitrogen fixation and nitrification. Plants take up
these forms of nitrogen through their roots, and incorporate them into plant
proteins and nucleic acids. Animals are then able to utilize nitrogen from the
plant tissues. This way, it enters the food web when the primary consumers eat the plants.

Ammonification
Assimilation produces large quantities of organic nitrogen, including proteins,
amino acids, and nucleic acids. Ammonification is the conversion of organic
nitrogen into ammonia. The ammonia produced by this process is excreted into
the environment and is then available for either nitrification or assimilation.

Denitrification
Denitrification is the process in which the nitrogen compounds make their way back into the
atmosphere by converting nitrate (NO3-) into gaseous nitrogen (N). This process of the nitrogen cycle is
the final stage and occurs in the absence of oxygen. Denitrification is carried out by the denitrifying
bacterial species- Clostridium and Pseudomonas, which will process nitrate to gain oxygen and gives out free
nitrogen gas as a byproduct. Hence, areas such as wetlands provide a valuable place for
reducing excess nitrogen levels via denitrification processes.

The nitrogen cycle is important for maintaining the balance of nitrogen in the environment. Nitrogen is
essential for plant growth and is the most abundant element in the atmosphere. Through the nitrogen cycle,
nitrogen is converted from the atmosphere into forms that can be used by living organisms, such as plants and
animals, and back again. The cycle is a key factor in the global cycle of energy and nutrients, as well as a
major source of fertilizer for growing crops. It also helps preserve biodiversity by ensuring that different
species have enough nitrogen to grow and thrive.

Organic remains of plants and animals are broken down in the soil by
some bacteria to release ammonia into the soil. These dead and waste
matter is used by these microorganisms as food and they release
ammonia into the soil.

 During the process of ammonification, the bacteria help

degrade decomposing animal and plant matter. This helps in
naturally cleaning up the environment.
 Due to the nitrogen cycle, nitrates and nitrites are released into
the soil which helps in enriching the soil with nutrients needed
for cultivation.
the nitrogen cycle is important in agricultural and biosystems waste management
since nitrogen cycle is necessary for ensuring the balance of nitrogen in the
environment and is required for plant growth. The cycle is an important component
of the world cycle of energy and nutrients and a significant source of fertilizer for
crops. It also contributes to biodiversity preservation by ensuring that different
species have enough nitrogen to develop and thrive.
Organic remains of plants and animals are broken down in the soil by some bacteria
to release ammonia into the soil. These dead and waste matter is used by
these microorganisms as food and they release ammonia into the soil.

 During the process of ammonification, the bacteria help

degrade decomposing animal and plant matter. This helps in
naturally cleaning up the environment.
 Due to the nitrogen cycle, nitrates and nitrites are released into
the soil which helps in enriching the soil with nutrients needed
for cultivation.
Carbon dioxide is a waste product of combusting fossil fuels, and its accumulation in the
atmosphere presents a planetary hazard. Carbon dioxide is also managed and used as a
resource. Living organisms release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration.

Waste prevention can make an important difference in reducing emissions

Climate change has accelerated the need to find measures to reduce and manage the waste we create.
Reduction and reuse of waste will help reduce pressure on the planet’s natural resources while
potentially reducing emission of greenhouse gases created through mass production and burning of
fossil fuels.

By increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil, we can significantly

offset the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and also improve the health of our
soil. Increasing organic matter in soil increases the amount of carbon in soil,
and wide range of soil health benefits result.

Agriculture necessarily involves some degree of soil disturbance, and hence release of
carbon from soils.

By adopting regenerative agricultural practices such as composting, cover cropping,

and polycultures, we can increase soil fertility, strengthen crop resilience, and remove
significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.