Name ________________________ period ______
Carbon Cycle: Reservoirs, Processes, Human Impacts
SWBAT:
-List the locations of carbon reservoirs and describe different forms of carbon in these
locations (e.g. CO2, carbonate rock (limestone), living tissue)
-Describe processes that move carbon between reservoirs (burning of fossil fuels, erosion,
photosynthesis, respiration, etc.)
-Describe positive and negative consequences of human impacts on the carbon cycle
(acidification, deforestation, planting trees, driving cars, etc.)
There really is no ONE carbon cycle. The carbon cycle consists of a number of reservoirs of
carbon, with processes that connect them. In the picture above, reservoirs are called “carbon
stores”. Carbon travels constantly from place to place, sometimes stopping for a very long
time, sometimes stopping for only a short while.
Carbon cycles through abiotic factors on earth. It is stored in reservoirs of fossil fuels, the
atmosphere, water, carbonate rock and magma. It is released through erosion, volcanic
activity, human actions, and equilibrium between water and atmosphere.
1. What does the word “abiotic” refer to?
2. Which reservoirs on your posters would be considered abiotic factors?
Carbon also cycles through biotic factors on earth. Reservoirs include living tissue (biomass)
of all organisms. Processes that move carbon include respiration and photosynthesis.
3. What does the word “biotic” refer to?
4. Which reservoirs on your posters would be considered biotic factors?
5. Write down the 4 processes we investigated in the carbon lab:
a.
b.
c.
d.
6. In groups, add the beginning and ending reservoirs for each of these processes. Make
sure you have arrows indicating the movement of carbon. I’ve done one for you!
a. water equilibriumatmosphere
b.
c.
d.
In our lab, we did not have the chance to observe other important processes:
 deposition
 photosynthesis & cellular respiration
Deposition:
 Deposition= the process of depositing dead organisms or algae in deep ocean sediment.
Organisms in the water do not decompose the same way that organisms do on land.
They are “deposited” on the sea floor.
 This is one reason (not the only reason) why the deep ocean holds more carbon than
shallow ocean waters.
Respiration:
 Cellular respiration = the process of ‘burning’ carbon molecules (glucose) for life’s
processes.
 It results in a release of CO2 into the atmosphere (or water).
 ALL ORGANISMS RESPIRE.
Photosynthesis :
 Photosynthesis =the process of taking in sunlight and converting it another form of
energy (glucose/sugar)
 Uses CO2 (and water) from the atmosphere in the process.
 ONLY PRODUCERS ARE ABLE TO PHOTOSYNTHESIZE.
7. How long do you think organisms that have died and been deposited on the sea floor
might stay there?
8. What do you think might happen over time to this carbon sediment (on the sea floor)?
(Look at the carbon cycle picture in the beginning for ideas).
9. Underline all the organisms below that do cellular respiration (and release CO2 into the
atmosphere). Then circle the ones that can photosynthesize (take CO2 in and store it in
living tissue).
Tree
human
squirrel
algae
mushroom
squid
corn grasshopper
10.
Add the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to your poster on
Monday. Remember your arrows! We will talk about these in the next unit (cells).
Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle
Humans have both positive and negative impacts on the carbon cycle.
Composting is an example of a positive impact.
o Composting= allowing organic waste products (such as leftover food, lawn
clippings and leaves) to decompose naturally.
o Compost is rich in nutrients—nitrogen and carbon in particular. This compost is
then put back in the soil to help plants grow.
o By putting waste products back into the earth instead of throwing them away,
humans can positively impact the carbon, nitrogen AND water cycles.
11.
How does composting have a positive impact on the carbon cycle, exactly?
12.
How does composting have a positive impact on the water cycle?
Using too many fossil fuels is another example of a negative impact on the carbon cycle.
o Fossil Fuels were formed very long ago from plant or animal remains that were
buried, compressed, and transformed into oil, coal, or natural gas. Large amounts of
carbon are stored in fossil fuels.
o Humans impact the carbon cycle during the combustion (burning) of any type of
fossil fuel, which includes oil, coal, & natural gas.
o By mining and burning fossil fuels, humans speed the release of CO2 into the
atmosphere.
13.
What are some possible consequences of using too many fossil fuels? See if you
and your family and friends can come up with 4 (or more).
a.
b.
c.
d.
Deforestation is another example of a negative impact on the carbon cycle.
o Deforestation is the practice of burning or cutting large amounts of forests to clear
land for grazing, agriculture or for people to live.
o Trees and plants store a large amount of carbon in their tissues.
o They also remove CO2 from the atmosphere (during the process of photosynthesis).
o “Every hour, at least 4,500 acres of forest fall to chain saws, machetes, flames, or
bulldozers. Population growth, poverty, and unequal access to land are among the
major causes of deforestation. “
14.
What do you think this last bullet means? Why would poverty and population
growth be causes of deforestation?
When deforestation occurs, there are major consequences (a double-edged sword):
o The carbon stored in the biomass of the organisms is released through
burning or decomposition.
o The producers are no longer available to take up CO2 from the atmosphere.
15.
How do you think deforestation affects the water cycle and the nitrogen cycle?
(Remember transpiration?)
True or False?
Rainforests are the principle source of carbon dioxide uptake from the air.