The Carbon Cycle
Carbon = major element in all organic biomass (organisms)
Carbon dioxide (CO2): 0.03% of modern atmosphere; 10% annually incorporated into organisms (uptake by photosynthesis)
Decomposition/respiration convert organic biomass back into CO2
Fossil fuels = remnants of old organic biomass; slow formation
Uptake/release of CO2 in global balance in natural ecosystems;burning of fossil fuels increases CO2 production ? imbalance? greenhouse effect, global warming