Students make a diagram of the carbon cycle.

Question

Which processes move carbon dioxide between Earth systems? Move the labels into the diagram.

Vegetation
Human activities
Atmosphere
Ocean

Emission
Absorption
Combustion
Photosynthesis
Respiration and decomposition

Answer 1

To illustrate the carbon cycle, you can create a diagram with the different Earth systems and processes that move carbon dioxide between them. Here's how you can arrange the labels:

1. Atmosphere ↔ Vegetation

   • Photosynthesis: This process occurs in vegetation, where plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
   • Respiration and decomposition: Plants and animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere through respiration. When plants and animals die, decomposition also releases carbon back to the atmosphere.

2. Atmosphere ↔ Ocean

   • Absorption: The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
   • Emission: The ocean can also release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

3. Human activities ↔ Atmosphere

   • Combustion: Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
   • Emission: This general label can relate to the overall carbon emissions from human activities, contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 levels.

Here’s a summary of how to arrange the labels in your diagram:

• Atmosphere

  • Arrow to Vegetation: Photosynthesis
  • Arrow to Atmosphere: Respiration and decomposition
  • Arrow to Ocean: Absorption
  • Arrow to Atmosphere: Emission

• Ocean

  • Arrow to Atmosphere: Emission

• Human activities

  • Arrow to Atmosphere: Combustion
  • Arrow to Atmosphere: Emission

Using these labels, you can create a comprehensive diagram of the carbon cycle that shows how carbon moves between the atmosphere, vegetation, the ocean, and human activities.