The Water and Carbon Cycle

[2025-10-16 Thu]

1. Water is essential for all living things

Water is essential to all forms of life. The water cycle is a continuous process that moves water through the environment and different parts of an ecosystem.

1.1. TODO Diagram

Insert a labeled diagram of the water cycle.

2. The Water Cycle?

Evaporation / Transpiration → Condensation → Precipitation → Percolation / Surface Runoff

2.1. Evaporation

Water moves from bodies of water into the atmosphere through Evaporation.

3. The Carbon Cycle

3.1. Carbon is part of all living things

Carbon is found in all living organisms.
It is a key element in carbohydrates like glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) (see: Cellular Respiration).
In the atmosphere, carbon exists primarily as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄).

3.2. Carbon cycling processes

3.2.1. Atmosphere → Photosynthesis → Cellular Respiration — Carbon Cycling.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere is converted into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) through photosynthesis (see: Photosynthesis).
- Through consumption, carbon moves through the food chain.
Also, carbon can be found in the atmosphere in the form of methane (CH₄) that is released by animals. Methane eventually transforms into carbon dioxide(CO₂ )
Plants and animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere through cellular respiration (see: Cellular Respiration).

Atmosphere → Photosynthesis → Cellular Respiration

3.2.2. Decomposition (Biosphere) In the carbon cycle

When plants and animals decompose, carbon enters the soil. The lithosphere
Organic carbon trapped underground for millions of years is compressed into Fossil Fuels.
Combustion (burning) releases this stored carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO₂) (see: The Combustion Engine).
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable because their formation takes millions of years.
(see: Carbon Dioxide)

3.2.3. Dissolving (Hydrosphere) In the carbon cycle

Another way carbon dioxide leaves the atmosphere is by dissolving into bodies of water.
It passes into the water.(Is being absorbed by the ocean, a Carbon Sink)
Oceans act as major Carbon Sinks because they can absorb and store large amounts of carbon.

3.2.4. Volcanic Eruptions (Lithosphere) In the carbon cycle

Much of Earth’s carbon is stored deep within the lithosphere through Sedimentation.
Volcanic eruptions release some of this stored carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO₂).

3.2.5. Understanding the scope of the carbon cycle In the carbon cycle

Some carbon cycle processes are rapid (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration, and dissolving).
Others, such as fossil fuel formation and sedimentation, occur over millions of years.

4. Elsewhere

4.1. References

4.2. In my garden

Notes that link to this note (AKA backlinks).