The Carbon Cycle

OCEAN UPTAKE ­ Dissolving of CO2 gas into the oceans and inflow of carbon carried from land by rivers.

OCEAN RELEASE ­ Return of carbon in the oceans directly back to the atmosphere as CO2 gas.

SEDIMENTATION ­ Slow burial of plant and animal matter on land and on the ocean floor, which eventually becomes limestone, coal, gas, and oil.

RESPIRATION ­ Slow combustion of carbon compounds, producing energy within organisms and releasing CO2.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS ­ Conversion of CO2 into energy-rich carbon compounds by plants.