Can you explain how carbon is cycled between the hydrosphere and geosphere?

Question

Emilia Alcaraz · Accepted Answer

Carbon is cycled through the hydro and geosphere through biological, physical/chemical, geological, and human activity.

Biological Let's take a forest, for example. These autotrophs — organisms that make their own food — take in carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis. They then release oxygen to the environment and give organisms that perform cellular respiration enough oxygen. Then, the organisms that perform cellular respiration breathe out CO2 that can be used by autotrophs. The consumers can also eat the autotrophs and release CO2 as they breathe out. Physical/Chemical When rainwater falls from clouds in the atmosphere, CO2 is dissolved into the drops of rain. The rain (some of it) then goes into oceans and is dissolved into the ocean with the CO2. Then, it comes back from the water and floats up into the atmosphere again. Geological Rocks at the bottom of the ocean are naturally turned into rock. This activity performed by the Earth makes carbonate rocks, and it releases CO2 through volcanoes . Also, it can convert organic matter into fossil fuels. Human Humans take fossil fuels from the Earth and use them as a source of fuel. This naturally releases the carbon dioxide in them, as they are converted into carbon over a very long period of time. Also, humans sometimes burn forests. The fire releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ocean The same processes that occur geologically and biologically occur in the ocean. Green algae take in CO2 and use it the same way.

Samuel Albin · Answer

undefined Carbon is cycled between the hydrosphere and geosphere through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and the weathering of rocks. In the hydrosphere, carbon dioxide dissolves in water, where it can be used by aquatic organisms for photosynthesis or released back into the atmosphere through respiration. Carbon can also precipitate out of water and form carbonate rocks in the geosphere through a process called sedimentation. These rocks can then be weathered over time, releasing carbon back into the hydrosphere. Additionally, volcanic activity can release carbon dioxide from the geosphere into the atmosphere, where it can eventually dissolve in water and continue the cycle.