Question

Is all of Earth’s carbon dioxide supply constantly being used by organisms? Responses: Yes, and it briefly passes through the atmosphere as it cycles between organisms. Yes, and it briefly passes through the atmosphere as it cycles between organisms. Yes, and it is used up as soon as it is formed. Yes, and it is used up as soon as it is formed. No, some is stored in Earth’s only carbon sink, the atmosphere. No, some is stored in Earth’s only carbon sink, the atmosphere. No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.

Answer 1

The correct response is: No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.

While carbon dioxide is continuously cycled through various processes involving living organisms (like photosynthesis and respiration), not all of it is constantly used. A significant amount of carbon is indeed stored in carbon sinks, including oceans, forests, soil, and atmospheric reservoirs. The oceans, for instance, absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, serving as one of the major carbon sinks on Earth.