Carbon Cycle Diagram

UCAR

This fairly basic carbon cycle diagram shows how carbon atoms 'flow' between various 'reservoirs' in the Earth system. This depiction of the carbon cycle focusses on the terrestrial (land-based) part of the cycle; there are also exchanges with the ocean which are only hinted at here. Note that carbon atoms are incorporated into various molecules as they flow around the cycle; for example, photosynthesis in plants captures carbon atoms in sugar molecules and atmospheric carbon is contained in molecules such as carbon dioxide and methane.