How does the carbon stored in the bodies of living organisms move into rocks?
Carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water, and slowly absorbed by rocks in the ocean
Carbon dioxide release through respiration dissolves in certain rocks like limestone
Living organisms decay, releasing carbon into the soil and soil is compacted into the rocks
Living organisms decay, and become fossil fuels, which eventually become rocks
All of the above processes contribute to the movement of carbon from living organisms into rocks. Let's break it down:
1. Carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water and slowly gets absorbed by rocks in the ocean: When carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid. This acid reacts with certain types of rocks, such as limestone, and undergoes a process called carbonation. As a result, calcium carbonate is formed, which can precipitate and accumulate over time, eventually becoming sedimentary rocks like limestone.
2. Carbon dioxide released through respiration dissolves in certain rocks like limestone: When organisms respire, they release carbon dioxide as a byproduct. In some cases, this carbon dioxide can dissolve in certain rocks like limestone, contributing to their formation.
3. Living organisms decay, releasing carbon into the soil, which is eventually compacted into rocks: When organisms die, their biomass decomposes and breaks down. During the decay process, carbon is released into the surrounding environment, including the soil. Over time, this carbon-rich soil can become compacted and transformed into sedimentary rocks like shale.
4. Living organisms decay and become fossil fuels, which eventually become rocks: In some cases, dead organisms can become buried in sediment before the decay process is completed. Over millions of years, under high pressure and temperature conditions, the organic matter in these buried organisms can undergo a process called diagenesis, transforming into fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas. Over longer timescales, these fossil fuels can become trapped within sedimentary rocks, such as coal seams or oil shale.
In summary, various processes such as carbonation, soil formation, and fossilization contribute to the movement of carbon stored in living organisms into rocks over geological time.