The Carbon Cycle
What is the Carbon Cycle?
The carbon cycle is another nutrient cycle that happens on a daily basis on earth. All living things have carbon in it. Non living things like the ocean, air and rocks contain carbon as well. Carbon and oxygen make up a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants use CO2 and sunlight in photosynthesis, making their own food and giving off oxygen. The CO2 becomes a part of a plant. When plants and animals die, the carbon can turn into fossil fuels after millions of years. When humans burn fossil fuels, the carbon renters the atmosphere.
How does the oil spill affect the carbon cycle?
The oil spill would affect the carbon cycle by killing off the plants and animals in the ocean that are part of the cycle. Plants and animals all contain carbon that is released into the atmosphere. The more carbon there is, the more carbon dioxide there is which is an acidic gas. The process of photosynthesis that takes the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere wouldn't happen because the plants would die as well from the oil. Without photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide would just be in the environment and could harm people, animals, and plants.
How does the oil spill affect the carbon cycle?
The oil spill would affect the carbon cycle by killing off the plants and animals in the ocean that are part of the cycle. Plants and animals all contain carbon that is released into the atmosphere. The more carbon there is, the more carbon dioxide there is which is an acidic gas. The process of photosynthesis that takes the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere wouldn't happen because the plants would die as well from the oil. Without photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide would just be in the environment and could harm people, animals, and plants.