Carbon in Earth's Spheres

Why is the Carbon Cycle
important?

 Most of the life-forms on Earth are built with carbon.

 Carbon is transferred from one living thing to another

through food webs and food chains

 Glucose created by plants in the process of

photosynthesis forms the basis for almost every food
pyramid on Earth.

 Plants rely on animals and decomposers for a steady

supply of carbon dioxide which is produced during
respiration.

Where is Carbon stored?

Carbon

Underground

Atmosphere

Living things

Oceans

Carbon in

seashells that
settle to the
ocean floor

As

dissolved

carbon
dioxide
called

Carbonates

Carbon as
fossil fuels
Oil, coal,

natural gas

Carbon in plant’s
leaves , trunks and

roots

As carbon
dioxide a

greenhouse gas

CO2

All animals are
approximately

25% carbon.
Think of your

bones!

Carbon is also stored in
many rocks…limestone

being the most

common.

Carbon as

methane gas

CH3

1,000,000,000,000,000Pg = 1 billion metric tons