Mining and burning of fossil fuels cause this carbon to move from the lithosphere to the atmosphere. Some of these living beings buried millions of years ago have been converted to fossil fuels. Some carbon also moves to the lithosphere when these living organisms die or when wood and leaves decay or when animals excrete.Respiration, digestion, and metabolism of plants and animals result in some transfer of carbon back to the atmosphere.This carbon is transferred form plants to the animals feeding on them, and further moves up the food chain.In the process of photosynthesis, atmospheric carbon is absorbed by plants.Here is the exact flow of events, as carbon flows from one layer to another as shown in the diagram above. Carbon cycle is one of the most important cycles of the Earth and symbolizes the recycling of this abundant element throughout the biosphere as well as in all of its organisms. It is a cycle involving biological, geological, and chemical processes in which carbon atoms are exchanged between the Earth’s biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and the atmosphere. In the sections given below, we will see a simple diagram and explanation. It follows a particular pattern, a periodic cycle that is known as the carbon cycle. But this circulation of carbon is not random. Various natural and man-invoked activities ensure that the carbon atoms are always on the move. Carbon atoms are everywhere in plants, animals, oceans, air, rock, soil, etc., and it doesn’t stay in one place. Carbohydrates, which is the main source of energy for all lifeforms, contains carbon as its main constituent. A major portion of the structure of any life form is composed of carbon and its compounds. If oxygen is the mainstay of all lifeforms, carbon is the essence of life.
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