37
isms release carbon to the environment, apart from release of carbon through weathering of biotic components of the environment.
Increase in human activity has enhanced CO 2 levels in the atmosphere resulting
in climate change that has immense impact on human health.
Carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and cement production from 1750
to 2011 and 2002 to 2011 were 375 and 8.3 giga tons of carbon, respectively. On the
other hand, carbon emissions due to land use change (mainly deforestation) from
1750 to 2011 and 2002 to 2011 were about 180 and 0.9 giga tons of carbon, respectively. Of the 555 giga tons of carbon released to the atmosphere from fossil fuel and
land use emissions from 1750 to 2011, 240 giga tons of carbon accumulated in the
atmosphere. The amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere grew by 4.0 giga tons of carbon
per year in the first decade of the twenty-first century. As a result, CO 2 concentration
raised from 278 ppm in 1750 to 390.5 ppm in 2011 (Stocker et al. 2013) resulting in
climate change. The CH 4 concentration has also increased by a factor of 2.5 since
pre-industrial times, from 722 ppb in 1750 to 1803 ppb in 2011.
Some parts of carbon, carbon dioxide, and other carbon compounds dissolve in
water of water bodies as well as precipitate as rain/snow/hail. When dissolved in
water, carbon is converted into carbonic acid, and can then be absorbed by rocks/
soil/minerals and be washed into the ocean as well as other water bodies.
Photosynthesis by terrestrial
Respiration, Decay,
Dissolved carbon
Marine Sediments, Sedimentary rocks and fossil
Respiration, Decay,
Photosynthesis by aquatic flora
Atmospheric CO 2 , CO, CH 4 etc.
Fig. 1.22 Carbon cycle
1.9 Biochemistry
isms release carbon to the environment, apart from release of carbon through weathering of biotic components of the environment.
Increase in human activity has enhanced CO 2 levels in the atmosphere resulting
in climate change that has immense impact on human health.
Carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and cement production from 1750
to 2011 and 2002 to 2011 were 375 and 8.3 giga tons of carbon, respectively. On the
other hand, carbon emissions due to land use change (mainly deforestation) from
1750 to 2011 and 2002 to 2011 were about 180 and 0.9 giga tons of carbon, respectively. Of the 555 giga tons of carbon released to the atmosphere from fossil fuel and
land use emissions from 1750 to 2011, 240 giga tons of carbon accumulated in the
atmosphere. The amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere grew by 4.0 giga tons of carbon
per year in the first decade of the twenty-first century. As a result, CO 2 concentration
raised from 278 ppm in 1750 to 390.5 ppm in 2011 (Stocker et al. 2013) resulting in
climate change. The CH 4 concentration has also increased by a factor of 2.5 since
pre-industrial times, from 722 ppb in 1750 to 1803 ppb in 2011.
Some parts of carbon, carbon dioxide, and other carbon compounds dissolve in
water of water bodies as well as precipitate as rain/snow/hail. When dissolved in
water, carbon is converted into carbonic acid, and can then be absorbed by rocks/
soil/minerals and be washed into the ocean as well as other water bodies.
Photosynthesis by terrestrial
Respiration, Decay,
Dissolved carbon
Marine Sediments, Sedimentary rocks and fossil
Respiration, Decay,
Photosynthesis by aquatic flora
Atmospheric CO 2 , CO, CH 4 etc.
Fig. 1.22 Carbon cycle
1.9 Biochemistry