Carbon atoms are constantly cycling through the environment in various forms and locations. Here are four places you might find a carbon atom as it moves through the environment:
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Atmosphere: Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is found in the atmosphere, where carbon atoms are part of the gas that plants use during photosynthesis.
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Plants: Carbon atoms are incorporated into organic molecules during photosynthesis, forming the structure of plants (e.g., cellulose, sugars).
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Soil: Carbon atoms can be found in the soil as part of organic matter (such as decomposed plants and animals) or in inorganic forms like carbonate minerals.
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Oceans: Carbon is present in oceans as dissolved carbon dioxide, as well as in the form of organic matter from marine organisms and bicarbonate ions in water.
These examples illustrate the dynamic nature of the carbon cycle, encompassing living and non-living components of the Earth’s systems.