biogeochemical cycle moving carbon through atmosphere, biosphere, ocean, and lithosphere
photosynthesis fixes atmospheric CO2 into organic molecules using solar energy
respiration and decomposition release CO2 back to the atmosphere
oceans absorb and release CO2 at the surface, store it in deep waters
combustion of fossil fuels transfers geological carbon to the atmosphere rapidly
weathering of silicate rocks consumes CO2 over geological timescales
volcanic outgassing from plate tectonics returns deep carbon to the atmosphere
soil holds more carbon than the atmosphere and all plant life combined
connected to water cycle through dissolved inorganic carbon transport
disruption of this cycle drives climate change through greenhouse forcing
thermodynamics governs every transformation in the cycle