In the biosphere of our planet, there are many complex processes caused by the vital activity of organisms, human impact and evolutionary changes occurring in the depths of the bowels and in the depths of the oceans. The main one is the carbon cycle. Life on Earth is impossible without it.
By and large, the carbon cycle is a global mechanism responsible for the assimilation and release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The assimilation of carbon is known to all of us as photosynthesis, and plants are responsible for this part. The release / return of carbon dioxide occurs through its exhalation by living organisms, the work of industrial enterprises and decomposition processes
The scheme of the carbon cycle will allow us to more fully represent this process, which consists of two stages:
- Assimilation of carbon dioxide (CO2) by plants, microscopic living organisms and its subsequent transformation into more complex basic chemical compounds (fats, carbohydrates, proteins).
- The return of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere through the respiration of living beings and in other ways.
However, the cyclecarbon is a more complex process. So, after the death of organisms, some of them are processed by bacteria and really return to the atmosphere in a fairly short time. But some of the remains turn into a dead organic mass.
It is these organic remains that will be transformed in a few hundred years, and eventually turn into coal, oil or peat. These fossils will be used by man for various purposes, and the carbon from them will be returned to the atmosphere.
I would like to dwell separately on the process of returning CO2 to the carbon cycle.
Fats. The breakdown of fats of various origins is possible due to the participation in this process of microorganisms that have enzymes aimed at splitting this compound. As a result, glycerol and higher fatty acids are formed. Glycerin breaks down into pyruvic acid (PVA). It, depending on the conditions, will turn into water, acid or alcohol, and a carbon molecule will be released into the air.
Carbohydrates. These substances are the main carriers of fiber, which
is digested and processed only by some microorganisms. In the process of its processing, glucose is formed, which is oxidized by almost all types of fungi and bacteria. As a result, glucose will be split into water and carbon dioxide. This is not the only option. The oxidation process can lead to the formation of methane, but with the mandatory release of carbon.
Due to the fact that all processesare not the same in terms of their course, there are two types of circulation of a given substance in the biosphere:
- Geological (formation of minerals) - can be calculated in thousands and millions of years.
- Biological (death and decay of plants and animals) is a very active process that can take from several days to several years.
Of course, the description presented here is very superficial and does not reflect the whole essence of the chemical and other processes due to which the carbon cycle is maintained on the planet.
