Carbon

Carbons exist in nature as graphite and diamond.It exists in the form of carbon dioxide in the air.The major process by which carbon is brought into the living world is photosynthesis.Carbon is released back to the atmosphere through respiration.

Carbon cycle:It is the cycle by which carbon is brought in the earth and then released back to the atmosphere.

Carbon is mainly stored in the form of carbon-containing inorganic substances in the atmosphere or in the ocean as reservoir.Both consumers and producers in the ocean and the terrestrial environment can carry out respiration which releases carbon dioxide to the carbon reservoir in the ocean or in the atmosphere.  Decomposers break down all organic materials and the remains of organisms. This releases the carbon stored into the reservoir through various metabolisms. When these organisms died, they were buried deep under the sea and the carbon inside was stored in sediments. After millions of years, because of the weathering of the sediments, the carbon can be released as dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean again. Also these remains of aquatic organisms can turn into fossil fuels that we are using nowadays. The combustion of fossil fuels can release carbon to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide as well.