a pathway a chemical element moves between the abiotic and biotic components of the earth
mass balance
at a global scale the total amount of carbon is conserved overtime
carbon sink
a store that absorbs more carbon than it releases
carbon source
a store that releases more carbon back into the cycle than it absorbs and holds
atmosphere
carbon is mostly stored as co2 and methane and it stores 0.015% of total carbon
hydrosphere
carbon is dissolved from water, dissolved as co2 in the ocean, in marine organisms, forms sediment on the sea bed and is in limestone produced from shells and coral reefs. It makes up 0.076% of total carbon
lithosphere
carbon is stored a fossil fuels and rocks in the crust, making up 99.985% of total carbon
cryosphere
frozen ground of tundra and artic plant materials making up 0.018% of total carbon
biosphere
all living organisms are composed of carbon making up 0.072% of total carbon
pedosphere
organic matter, organic carbon in soil and remains of dead plants of animals making up 0.031% of total carbon
