Processes
The Carbon Cycle
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The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among Earth's biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. A fast, biological cycle completes within years, while the slow geological cycle moves carbon through the crust between rocks, soil, ocean and atmosphere over millions of years; human land use change and the mining and burning of coal, petroleum and gas have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide nearly 52 percent over pre-industrial levels by 2020, resulting in global warming.
Facts
TimescaleThe fast biological cycle completes within years; the slow geological cycle takes millions of years 1 Driving ForceThe exchange of carbon among the atmosphere, ocean, land biosphere and rocks through photosynthesis, respiration, weathering and volcanic outgassing. 1 Resulting FeatureRegulates the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, linking the fast biological cycle to the slow geological cycle of carbonate rock formation and subduction. 1 SignificanceHuman combustion of fossil carbon has disrupted the natural carbon cycle's balance, driving the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide behind modern climate change. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by the disturbed cycle results in global warming.
The increased carbon dioxide has reduced the ocean's pH and is altering marine chemistry.
Past ocean acidification episodes had long-lasting effects on the global carbon cycle and climate.
The water cycle is a sibling among Earth's major biogeochemical cycles.
In Discipline
A biogeochemical cycle, worked at the seam of chemistry and geology.
Sources
1. Carbon Cycle (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sectionQuote, Lead section
The carbon cycle is a part of the biogeochemical cycle where carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of Earth.
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