Answer:
Explanation: The carbon cycle describes the flow of carbon through various reservoirs on Earth. Here are the steps in the carbon cycle, starting with Step 1:
• Step 1: Carbon Fixation - Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, converting it into organic carbon compounds.
• Step 2: Respiration - Plants and animals release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the process of respiration.
• Step 3: Decomposition - When plants and animals die, their organic matter is broken down by decomposers (bacteria and fungi). This process releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere or converts it into other carbon compounds in the soil.
• Step 4: Combustion - When fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) are burned for energy by humans or natural processes like wildfires, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
• Step 5: Diffusion - Carbon dioxide moves between the atmosphere and the oceans, where it can dissolve in water or be released back into the air.
• Step 6: Sedimentation and Burial - Some carbon can be buried in sedimentary rocks, forming carbon-rich deposits over long periods.
• Step 7: Subduction - Over geological time scales, tectonic activity can cause carbon-containing rocks to be subducted into the Earth's mantle, effectively removing them from the carbon cycle for an extended period.
• Step 8: Volcanic Release - Through volcanic activity, carbon stored in the Earth's mantle can be released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
• Step 9: Weathering - Certain geological processes, such as weathering of rocks, can sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by converting it into carbonate compounds in the soil or water.
These steps represent the main processes and pathways of the carbon cycle. The cycle operates continuously, maintaining a balance between carbon reservoirs and influencing the Earth's climate and ecosystems.
I hope this helps.