Carbon Cycle Definition

by Laurent Cousineau
(Montreal)

The carbon cycle refers to the flow of carbon through the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.

There are five main reservoirs of carbon which are all interconnected:

• The atmosphere
• The terrestrial biosphere
• The oceans
• The Earth’s interior
• and sediments (including fossil fuels)

Also, there are many chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes which account for the exchange of carbon.

Furthermore, of all the reservoirs near the surface of the Earth, the oceans are the ones which contain the most carbon.

However, most of this carbon does not flow rapidly to the atmosphere. Hence, the oceans act as carbon sinks.

Carbon Cycle and Climate Change

Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, mankind has altered the carbon cycle via anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.

Unfortunately, these emissions cause global warming.

In order to stop climate change, we must reduce our carbon footprint.