Indirapuram Public School, Indirapuram
Cambridge International Wing
Notes on Carbon Cycle
Stage 9- Unit 1
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About Carbon:
Carbon is considered as the fourth most abundant element in the universe. It is also essential for the
existence of life on the Earth. All basic living elements of living organisms are made up of Carbon.
Its source is also present in ocean, air and even rocks.
Carbon is found in various forms on the surface of the Earth. Carbon is found in elemental form in
diamonds, graphite whereas in the combined state it is found as Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as
carbonate and hydrogencarbonate salts in various minerals. Along with that it is also in various
biomolecules like: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acid, vitamins.
Carbon cycle shows the movement of carbon in elemental and combined states on earth. Diamond
and graphite are the elemental forms of carbon and in a combined state, it is found as carbonates in
minerals and as carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere.
Carbon Cycle Steps
Following are the major steps involved in the process of the carbon cycle:
1. Carbon present in the atmosphere is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis.
2. These plants are then consumed by animals and carbon gets bioaccumulated into their
bodies.
3. These animals and plants eventually die, and upon decomposing, carbon is released back into
the atmosphere.
4. Some of the carbon that is not released back into the atmosphere eventually become fossil
fuels.
5. These fossil fuels are then used for man-made activities, which pump more carbon back into
the atmosphere.
Carbon Cycle on Land: Carbon which is present in the atmosphere is in the form of carbon
dioxide. Further this carbon enters into the atmosphere through a respiration process and through
burning of fossil fuels. Through photosynthesis, absorption of CO2 occurs in plants for the
formation of carbohydrates.
Oceanic Carbon Cycle: Carbon cycle present in the sea is called the oceanic cycle. As per
ecological data the amount of oxygen taken by the ocean is more than given out. Because of this
reason it is called “Carbon Sink.” Marine animals convert the carbon into calcium carbonate as
this carbonate form is required as the raw material for the creation of hard shells, similar to the ones
found in clams and oysters. After the death of an organism with a Calcium Carbonate shell, their
body undergoes decomposition leaving behind a hard shell.
These hard shells accumulate on the seafloor and are eventually broken down by the waves and
compacted under enormous pressure, forming limestone. After their exposure with air they undergo
a weathering process and the carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Key Points on Carbon Cycle
● Carbon cycle explains the movement of carbon between the earth’s biosphere, geosphere,
hydrosphere and atmosphere.
● Carbon is an important element of life.
● Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is taken up by green plants and other photosynthetic
organisms and is converted into organic molecules that travel through the food chain. Carbon
atoms are then released as carbon dioxide when organisms respire.
● The formation of fossil fuels and sedimentary rocks contributes to the carbon cycle for very
long periods.
● The carbon cycle is associated with the availability of other compounds as well.
Practice Question/Answers:
Q1. What is the carbon cycle? Explain.
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.
Q2. What are the 4 steps of the carbon cycle?
● Carbon enters the atmosphere as CO2
● CO2 is absorbed by autotrophs such as green plants
● Animals consume plants, thereby, incorporating carbon into their system
● Animals and plants die, their bodies decompose and carbon is reabsorbed back into the
atmosphere.
Q3. What are the types of the carbon cycle?
Carbon Cycle can be classified into two types based on the duration of the process into two types:
● Short term – This type occurs within a relatively short period of time. It is named as such
because it takes just days, months or years for carbon to flow across the various carbon
reservoirs.
● Long term – This type takes thousands of years to occur. The excess carbon from the
short-term cycle is stored for a long time before they are released.
Q4. Why is the carbon cycle important?
Carbon Cycle is an important aspect of the survival of all life on earth. From an environmental
perspective, carbon provides insulation by trapping the sun’s heat. From a biological perspective,
carbon is the building block of life and forms stable bonds with other elements necessary for life.
Q5. The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle.
Name the processes labelled A, B, C and D, on the diagram.
A – respiration B – feeding / eating / ingestion C – photosynthesis D– combustion / burning
Q6.
Describe how living things are involved in the constant cycling of carbon.
Reference answer:
.(green) plants photosynthesise • photosynthesis takes in carbon dioxide • (green) plants use carbon
to make carbohydrate / protein / fat / organic compounds / named (e.g. enzymes / cellulose) •
animals eat (green) plants (and other animals) • (green) plants respire • animals respire • respiration
releases carbon dioxide • (green) plants and animals die • microorganisms decay / decompose / rot /
break down / feed on dead organisms • microorganisms respire
Q7. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing. The table shows the estimated
mass of carbon dioxide exchanged with the atmosphere in one year.
(a) (i) Calculate the total mass of carbon dioxide passed out into the atmosphere in one year. Show
clearly how you work out your answer.
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Answer : 70 million tonnes
(b) (ii) Calculate the increase in the mass of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in one year. You
should use your answer to part (a)(i) in your calculation. Show clearly how you work out your
answer. ______________________________________________________________ ____
Answer : 6 million tonnes
