4.

3 Carbon cycling

Essential idea: Continued availability of carbon

in ecosystems depends on carbon cycling.

Ecosystems need carbon to be cycled, without it they could not survive.

To illustrate this point the coal shown above is formed entirely from
partially decayed and fossilised plant and animal remains. Fossil fuels are
a valuable sink of carbon. As shown by this and the next topic the
balance of the cycle, i.e. where in the cycle the carbon is found, is as
critical to ecosystems as the fact that they need carbon to be cycled.

By Chris Paine
https://bioknowledgy.weebly.com/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coal_lump.jpg
Understandings
Statement Guidance
4.3.U1 Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates
and other carbon compounds.
4.3.U2 In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved
carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.
4.3.U3 Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water
into autotrophs.
4.3.U4 Carbon dioxide is produced by respiration and diffuses
out of organisms into water or the atmosphere.
4.3.U5 Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic
conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some
diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the
ground.
4.3.U6 Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the
atmosphere.
4.3.U7 Peat forms when organic matter is not fully
decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic
conditions in waterlogged soils.
4.3.U8 Partially decomposed organic matter from past
geological eras was converted either into coal or into
oil and gas that accumulate in porous rocks.
4.3.U9 Carbon dioxide is produced by the combustion of
biomass and fossilized organic matter.
4.3.U10 Animals such as reef-building corals and mollusca
have hard parts that are composed of calcium
carbonate and can become fossilized in limestone.
Applications and Skills
Statement Guidance
4.3.A1 Estimation of carbon fluxes due to processes in the Carbon fluxes should be measured in gigatonnes.
carbon cycle.
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain
annual fluctuations.
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

Carbon cycle diagrams vary greatly in the detail they contain. This one shows not only the
sinks and the flows, but also estimates carbon storage and movement in gigatons/year.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diagram_showing_a_simplified_representation_of_the_Earth%27s
_annual_carbon_cycle_%28US_DOE%29.png
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

You need to be able to produce a simplified carbon cycle. Use the following Key:
sinks and flows (processes) to build a carbon cycle: Sink
Flux

Carbon compounds CO2 in the atmosphere and

in fossil fuels hydrosphere (oceans)

Carbon compounds in Carbon compounds Carbon compounds in

producers (autotrophs) in consumers dead organic matter

Cell respiration
Photosynthesis Incomplete decomposition
& fossilisation
Egestion
Feeding

Combustion
Death

n.b. some of the fluxes will need to be used more than once.
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

You need to be able to produce a simplified carbon cycle. Use the following Key:
sinks and flows (processes) to build a carbon cycle: Sink
Flux
CO2 in the atmosphere and
hydrosphere (e.g. oceans)

Feeding
Carbon compounds Carbon compounds
in fossil fuels in consumers

Carbon compounds in
dead organic matter

Incomplete
decomposition &
fossilisation
Carbon compounds in
producers (autotrophs)
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

You need to be able to produce a simplified carbon cycle. Use the following Key:
sinks and flows (processes) to build a carbon cycle: Sink
Flux
CO2 in the atmosphere and
hydrosphere (e.g. oceans)

Feeding
Carbon compounds Carbon compounds
in fossil fuels in consumers

Carbon compounds in
dead organic matter

Incomplete
decomposition & http://youtu.be/CitOibRcCcI
fossilisation
Carbon
*this is a good resource, compounds
but there in in the video –
is one mistake
producers
carbon is egested, when (autotrophs)
not digested by an organism, not excreted.
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

You need to be able to produce a simplified carbon cycle. Use the following Key:
sinks and flows (processes) to build a carbon cycle: Sink
Flux
CO2 in the atmosphere and
hydrosphere (e.g. oceans)
Extend your understanding:
1. Between which sinks would you add a flux showing volcanoes and the weathering
of rocks?
2. What additional sink would you add to show the role of corals and shellfish? What
additional flux would be needed? Feeding
3. In some
Carbon environments water is unable to drain
compounds outcompounds
Carbon of soils so they become
waterlogged
in fossil fuels and anaerobic. This prevents the decomposition of dead organic
in consumers
matter forming peat deposits [4.3.U7]. Peat can be dried and burnt as a fuel.
Suggest how peat could be added to the carbon cycle. Carbon compounds in
4. Explain why fossil fuels are classified as non-renewable resources whendead organic matter
the carbon
cycle indicates they are renewed (hint: refer to the pictorial carbon cycle).
Incomplete
5. Diffusion is a flux that moves CO2 from the atmosphere to the hydrosphere and
decomposition
back again.&Taken together these fluxes are largest in the cycle suggest why.
fossilisation
Carbon compounds in
producers (autotrophs)
4.3.S1 Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

You need to be able to produce a simplified carbon cycle. Use the following Key:
sinks and flows (processes) to build a carbon cycle: Sink
Flux
CO2 in the atmosphere and
hydrosphere (e.g. oceans)

Feeding
Carbon compounds Carbon compounds
in fossil fuels in consumers

Carbon compounds in
dead organic matter

Incomplete
decomposition &
fossilisation
Carbon compounds in
producers (autotrophs)
4.3.U1 Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

All autotrophs however convert carbon dioxide (from the atmosphere or

dissolved in water) or into organic compounds.

Plant initially synthesis sugars (e.g.

glucose) which are then converted
into other organic compounds such
as:
• complex carbohydrates e.g.
starch, cellulose
• lipids
• amino acids

n.b. Although most autotrophs fix

carbon by photosynthesis. A few are
Chemoautotrophs and fix carbon by
utilising the energy in the bonds of
inorganic compounds such as hydrogen
sulfide.

http://www.earthtimes.org/newsimage/photosynthesis-dream-renewable-energy_1_02842012.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plagiomnium_affine_laminazellen.jpeg
4.3.U2 In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen
carbonate ions.

Some CO2 will directly

dissolve in water, but most
will combine with water to
become carbonic acid.

Both dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen

carbonate ions are absorbed by aquatic plants H+ ions explains how
and other autotrophs that live in water. carbon dioxide reduces
the pH of water.

CO2 + H2O → H2CO3 → H+ + HCO3–

http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107Lab/Exp05_CO2/Lab/CO2intoOcean.jpg
4.3.U3 Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs

Plants must have a constant supply of carbon dioxide (CO2) to continually photosynthesise
CO2 moves through stomatal pores in
the leaves of land plants* CO2 from outside the leaf High
diffuses down the concentration
gradient into the leaf
atmosphere or water

CO2 Concentration
gradient
Inside the leaf Photosynthesis uses CO2 keeping the
concentration of CO2 inside the leaf low
Low

atmosphere or water
Transverse section of parsnip leaf (Pastinaca sativa)

*Some aquatic plants, e.g. water lilies have stomata, but in many fully submerged
plants plants diffusion happens directly through the surface tissues.
http://www.kbg.fpv.ukf.sk/studium_materialy/morfologia_rastlin/webchap10epi/web10.3-6.jpg
4.3.U4 Carbon dioxide is produced by respiration and diffuses out of organisms into water or the
atmosphere.

Organisms carry out respiration to release energy in the form of ATP. Carbon
dioxide is a waste product of cell respiration

In terms of the carbon cycle three main categories of organisms carry out respiration:
• autotrophs, e.g. plants
• heterotrophs, e.g. animals
• saprotrophs and decomposers, e.g. fungi and bacteria

http://ib.bioninja.com.au/_Media/cell_respiration_summary.jpeg
4.3.U7 Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic
conditions in waterlogged soils.

Partially decomposed organic matter can be compressed to form brown soil-like peat

Once dried peat burns easily and can

be used as a fuel.

Peat is a highly effective carbon sink, it is

estimted that the world’s peat contains
550 Gt of carbon (International Mire
Conservation Group, 2007-01-03) Toppila Peat-Fired Power Plant in Oulu, Finland

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toppila_power_plant.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peat-bog-Ireland.jpg
4.3.U7 Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic
conditions in waterlogged soils.

In soils organic matter, e.g. dead leaves, are

digested by saprotrophic bacteria and fungi.

Saprotrophs assimilate some carbon for Aerobic respiration

growth and release as carbon dioxide during requires oxygen
aerobic respiration.

saprotrophs and Partial

Waterlogged soils are an decomposition
methanogens [4.3.U5] are
anaerobic environment causes acidic
inhibited
conditions

Large quantities of
Organic matter is only
(partially decomposed)
partially decomposed
organic matter build up.

The organic matter is

compressed to form peat
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peat-bog-Ireland.jpg
4.3.U8 Partially decomposed organic matter from past geological eras was converted either into
coal or into oil and gas that accumulate in porous rocks.

Coal is formed when deposits of peat are buried under other sediments.

The peat is compressed

and heated over millions
years eventually
becoming coal.

The cycle of sea-level changes that happened during the Carboniferous

period caused costal swamps to be buried promoting the formation of coal.

http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/images/coalform.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coal_lump.jpg
4.3.U8 Partially decomposed organic matter from past geological eras was converted either into
coal or into oil and gas that accumulate in porous rocks.

oil and gas formation occurred in ancient oceans

Conditions are anaerobic

and so decomposition is
only partial.

The mixture of different

types of oil and gas is
the result of complex
chemical changes.
Methane forms the
largest part of natural
gas.
http://www.agiweb.org/education/energy/images/oildrill.png
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oil_well.jpg
4.3.U10 Animals such as reef-building corals and mollusca have hard parts that are composed of
calcium carbonate and can become fossilized in limestone.

Some animals secrete calcium carbonate

(CaCO3) structures to protect themselves:
• Shells of molluscs
• Hard corals exoskeletons

When the animals die the soft body parts

decompose, but the calcium carbonate
remains to form deposits on the ocean floor.

The deposits are buried and compressed a

eventually form limestone rock.

Imprints of the hard body parts remain in

rock as fossils.

Limestone rock is a huge carbon

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fossils_in_a_beach_wall.JPG
4.3.U9 Carbon dioxide is produced by the combustion of biomass and fossilized organic matter.

If heated dried biomass or fossilized fuels will burn in the presence of oxygen

Fossil/Biomass fuel + O2 → CO2 + H2O

With the current scientific evidence giving over-

whelming support to global warming is "slash and
burn” clearance of land for farming an acceptable
Slash & Burn: Why Amazonian farmers use fire
practice?

http://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/images/eslabs/carbon/slashandbuurn_250.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coal_and_Fire.JPG
http://youtu.be/zDOq7QZXTdI http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deerfire_high_res_edit.jpg
4.3.U5 Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic
archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.

Methanogens are archaean microorganisms that produce methane as a

metabolic byproduct in anoxic conditions.

Typically during ATP production methane is

produced from carbon dioxide.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Everglades_Nat%27l_Park_M http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Azores_%283240489010%29
angrove.jpg .jpg
Methanogens are found in a variety of anoxic
environments:
• Wetlands (e.g. paddies, swamps and
mangroves)
• Digestive tracts of animals (e.g. cows,
humans and termites)
• Marine and freshwater sediments (e.g. mud
in the beds of lakes)
• Landfill sites (in which organic matter has
been buried)

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:China_-_Yangshuo_29_-
_Rice_Paddy_Terraces_%28140905203%29.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Landfill_compactor.jpg
4.3.U6 Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.

Measurements indicate that the levels of atmospheric methane are increasing

It is estimated that, on average, methane Methane released into the atmosphere can
persists in the atmosphere for 8.4 years. be removed by a number of mechanisms.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Me
thaneSinkPieChart.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mlo_ch4_ts_obs_ The most important process of methane

03437.png
removal is oxidation by hydroxyl radicals.

methane+ hydroxyl radical → carbon dioxide + water

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:China_-_Yangshuo_29_-_Rice_Paddy_Terraces_%28140905203%29.jpg
4.3.A1 Estimation of carbon fluxes due to processes in the carbon cycle.

It is not possible to measure the size of carbon sinks and the fluxes between them.
Estimates are based on many different measurements are often published with large
uncertainties as a result.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diagram_showing_a_simplified_representation_of_the_Earth%27s
_annual_carbon_cycle_%28US_DOE%29.png
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.

Many field stations globally use the same

standardised method. All stations show a clear
upward trend with annual cycles.
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.

http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/co2/sio-keel.html
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.

http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/co2/sio-keel.html
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.

http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/co2/sio-keel.html
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.
4.3.A2 Analysis of data from air monitoring stations to explain annual fluctuations.

https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo/f?p=518:1:0:::APP:PROX
YTOSEARCH:7
Bibliography / Acknowledgments

Jason de Nys