The global carbon cycle

Question 1

The global carbon cycle

Answer 1

Long term storage in sedimentary rocks holds 99.9% of all carbon on earth
The main pathways between stores followed by carbon in this cycle include photosynthesis, respiration, oxidation and weathering

Question 2

Important roles

Answer 2

Carbonate rocks hold the most carbon
The carbon stored in the atmosphere, plants and soil is relatively small but these stores are crucial to the cycling of carbon

Question 3

The slow carbon cycle

Answer 3

Carbon stored in rocks, sea floor sediments and fossil fuels is locked away for millions of years
10-100 million tonnes a year

Question 4

The fast carbon cycle

Answer 4

Carbon circulates most rapidly between the atmosphere, the oceans, living organisms and soils
10-1000 times faster than those in the slow carbon cycle