How does the carbon stored in the bodies of living organisms move into rocks?

Question

a. carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water and is slowly absorbed by rocks in the ocean
b. living organisms decay an become fossil fuels, which eventually become rocks
c. carbon dioxide released through respiration dissolves in certain rocks, like limestone
d. living organisms decay, releasing carbon into the soil, and soil is compacted into rocks

Answer 1

The most accurate answer to how carbon stored in the bodies of living organisms moves into rocks is:

b. living organisms decay and become fossil fuels, which eventually become rocks.

This process involves the accumulation of organic material from living organisms, which, over millions of years and under specific conditions, gets transformed into fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and natural gas). These fossil fuels can eventually become part of sedimentary rock formations. Other options have elements of truth regarding carbon cycling, but they do not specifically address the transformation of carbon from living organisms into solid rock through fossilization.