Here’s how to fill in the blanks for the processes and their corresponding movement of carbon between different Earth systems:
Process Moving carbon from the... to the...
-
Decaying of animals and plants
From the Biosphere to the Lithosphere
(when organic matter decomposes, carbon is released into the soil) -
Factory and Vehicle Emissions
From the Lithosphere to the Atmosphere
(burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air) -
Photosynthesis
From the Atmosphere to the Biosphere
(plants take in carbon dioxide to produce glucose) -
Plant & Animal Respiration
From the Biosphere to the Atmosphere
(organisms release carbon dioxide back into the air as they respire)
Summary
| Process | Moving carbon from the... | to the... | |--------------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------| | Decaying of animals and plants | Biosphere | Lithosphere | | Factory and Vehicle Emissions | Lithosphere | Atmosphere | | Photosynthesis | Atmosphere | Biosphere | | Plant & Animal Respiration | Biosphere | Atmosphere |