List the four spheres of the carbon cycle.
1) Atmosphere: The atmosphere is a major reservoir of carbon in the carbon cycle. It contains carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases.
2) Biosphere: The biosphere refers to all living organisms on Earth, including plants and animals. Photosynthesis, which occurs in plants, takes in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into organic compounds, thus playing a major role in the carbon cycle.
3) Hydrosphere: The hydrosphere includes all water bodies on Earth, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Carbon in the form of dissolved carbon dioxide is present in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the oceans act as a carbon sink, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
4) Geosphere: The geosphere comprises Earth's solid surface, including rocks, soil, and minerals. Carbon is stored in underground reservoirs such as fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas. Through processes like erosion, volcanic activity, and weathering, carbon is released into the atmosphere or sequestered in the geosphere over long periods.
The carbon cycle involves four main spheres:
1. Atmosphere: The atmosphere is the first sphere of the carbon cycle. It contains carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide is exchanged between the atmosphere and other spheres through processes such as respiration and combustion.
2. Biosphere: The biosphere includes all living organisms on Earth. Plants and algae play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, converting it into organic compounds, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Carbon is then transferred through the food chain as organisms consume and break down organic matter.
3. Geosphere: The geosphere refers to the Earth's solid, rocky, and mineral-based components, including rocks, soil, and fossil fuels. When plants and animals die, their remains accumulate in the geosphere, where organic carbon can be stored for thousands or millions of years, forming fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
4. Hydrosphere: The hydrosphere includes all the water bodies on Earth, such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water, forming carbonic acid, which can then combine with minerals to form carbonate rocks or be taken up by aquatic organisms. Carbon can also be released back into the atmosphere through processes like outgassing and decomposition.