Volcanoes release carbon dioxide into

the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is

released from chemical reactions on
molten rocks. When volcanic activity is
high, carbon dioxide levels are high and
the planet warms (such as at the end of
the Permian period 250 million years ago
when 90% of all species went extinct).

All living things respire. They produce

energy through the oxidation of organic
molecules. As well as energy, carbon
dioxide is produced and excreted.

Photosynthesis is the production of

carbohydrates by plants. They use
atmospheric carbon dioxide and water
from the soil to produce glucose using
the enrgy from sunlight. They use this
glucose to synthesise all their organic
compunds. In the right temperature,
increasing carbon dioxide levels
increases the rate of photosynthesis.
The fewer plants there are, the less
carbon dioxide is taken up through
photosynthesis.
Decomposers obtain energy and
nutrients from the dead bodies of other
organisms. They play an important role
in recycling these nutrients. They respire
using the carbon containing compounds,
releasing carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere.
Herbivores eat plants, taking in their
carbon containing compounds such as
starch, glucose, sucrose and proteins.
These carbon containing compounds
become part of the herbivore’s
biomass.

People have been burning fossil fuels

for over 100 years. Most of our energy
for transport, manufacturing and
electricity generation comes from fossil
fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Burning
these fossil fuels releases carbon
dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Carnivores eat animals, taking in their

carbon containing compounds such as
starch, glucose, sucrose and proteins.
These carbon containing compounds
become part of the carnivore’s biomass.

Carbon dioxide dissolves in sea water

and can be used by marine animals to
form shells. Coral and other
invertebrates use the dissolved carbon
dioxide and other minerals to produce
their shells. The carbon becomes
locked into these structures until they
break down.
 Sediments build up in swamps and on
land. Organisms trapped in swamps are
progressively covered by more and
more layers above them. They are
changed by heat and pressure to
become carbon rich fossil fuels, trapped
far underground.

Under the sea layers of sediment build

up on top of each other. These layers
trap rocks, shells and corals
underground, turning them into
sedimentary rocks. These are pushed
further and further underground over
time. Eventually some of these rocks
are pushed so far underground they
may become molten and become part
of the mantle.
Swamps are very low in oxygen. If an
organism dies in these conditions it will
not be decomposed. Instead, all of its
organic compounds will stay locked up
inside as it gets trapped underground.

Carbon dioxide dissolves in the sea.

The lower the temperature the more
carbon dioxide dissolves in sea water.
Some is carried as carbon dioxide,
some reacts with the water and other
minerals in the sea to form substances
such as calcium carbonate. Increasing
temperatures releases carbon dioxide
from the sea.
All organisms die. Their organic
compounds are available to
decomposers.
Burning wood releases the energy
stored as carbohydrates. It is a very
useful source of energy in many parts
of the world. as well as the release of
energy, combustion releases carbon
dioxide and water as waste products.