Global Biogeochemical Carbon Cycling

Global Biogeochemical Carbon Cycling

Introduction

The global carbon cycle is currently an important of discussion primarily because of its importance in the global climate system and the way human activities are altering it significantly . Carbon- a core constituent of all organic matter acts as a primary energy source providing us with food and fiber and Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is the most influential agent for climatic change . The carbon cycle thus serves as the core to the Life on Earth ' However , industrialization over the last two centuries has pushed this nature 's

balance to a dangerous level . According to Strategic Plan for the Climate Change Science Program Final Report , July 2003 , since 1750 , CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by 30 , resulting in global warming and continuous increase in global atmospheric temperatures

What is Carbon cycling

According to Wikipedia , the encyclopedia , The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is continuously exchanged between the biosphere , geosphere , hydrosphere and atmosphere of the Earth . The cycle is usually thought of as four main reservoirs of carbon interconnected by pathways of exchange . The reservoirs are the atmosphere , terrestrial biosphere (usually includes freshwater systems oceans , and sediments1 (includes fossil fuels ' The working processes in the Carbon Cycle are photosynthesis2 , decomposition3 , and respiration

Biogeochemical cycle : Biogeochemical Cycling is the cycling or exchange of elements through the ecosystem-thus , the elements [ "chemical "] cycle between biotic (living organisms "bio- ) and abiotic (rock , air , water "geo- ) reservoirs- thus involving a variety of biological , geological and chemical processes . The four important biogeochemical Cycles are - water , carbon (and oxygen , nitrogen , and phosphorous . Interestingly Carbon cycle interacts and overlaps with Water and Nitrogen cycles The changes in carbon (C ) and nitrogen (N ) fluxes are connected to changes in water cycle , land use patterns , agricultural practices , urban development , and vegetation , which can have adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic resources . Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere affect plants ' water use efficiency through stomatal response and In turn , Atmospheric nitrogen deposition can have a fertilizer effect inducing changes in both water and carbon cycles ' Source : HYPERLINK "http /www .mnforsustain .org /water_climate_chap4_plan_for_science .htm http /www .mnforsustain .org /water_climate_chap4_plan_for_science .htm

Forms of carbon involved in the carbon cycle (Source : HYPERLINK "http /www .physicalgeography .net /fundamentals /9r .html http /www .physicalgeography .net /fundamentals /9r .html

Carbon is present as organic molecules in living and dead organisms found in the biosphere , as CO2 in the atmosphere , as organic matter in soils , in the lithosphere4 as fossil fuels5 and sedimentary rock deposits such as limestone6 , dolomite and chalk , in the oceans as dissolved atmospheric CO2 and as calcium carbonate CaCO3 shells in marine organisms

Major Sources of CO2 can be divided into two categories-

NATURAL

ANTHROPOGENIC (Human-Caused Respiration By Producers , Consumers , and Decomposers

Oxidation of Soil Organics

Erosion of Carbonate Rocks

Volcanic Emissions .Burning of Fossil Fuels (coal , oil

Burning of Forests and Fuel wood

Agriculture (Plowing CARBON SINKS : Stores of carbon are thus known as carbon sinks reservoirs / compartments . Sedimentary carbonates and kerogen...