Carbon Cycle Visualizer – AP Environmental Science | ShowMeClass

C

Carbon Cycle Visualizer

AP Environmental Science · Unit 1: Earth Systems

Learning Objectives

Identify carbon reservoirs and fluxes

Trace carbon through photosynthesis, respiration, combustion

Analyze human impacts on carbon cycle

Connect CO2 levels to greenhouse effect

Reservoirs (GtC)

Atmosphere: ~830 GtC
Vegetation: ~550 GtC
Soil: ~1,500 GtC
Ocean: ~38,000 GtC
Fossil fuels: ~10,000 GtC

Key Fluxes (GtC/yr)

Photosynthesis: ~120
Respiration: ~120
Combustion: ~9.5 (human)
Ocean exchange: ~90

Colors

Atmosphere CO2

Vegetation / photosynthesis

Soil carbon

Ocean carbon

Fossil fuel emissions

Carbon CycleBiogeochemistryClimate

Year:2024

Atm CO2:420 ppm

Net flux:-

ATMOSPHERIC CO2 OVER TIME

Fossil Fuel Emissions (GtC/yr) 9.5

Deforestation (GtC/yr) 1.5

Ocean Absorption Rate 1.0x

Vegetation Uptake Rate 1.0x

Speed 1x

Scenario Presets

Carbon Budget

Quick Quiz▼

1. The largest carbon reservoir on Earth is:

Atmosphere Ocean Vegetation Soil

2. Photosynthesis removes CO2 via:

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 C6H12O6 → 6CO2 + 6H2O CaCO3 → CaO + CO2 CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

3. Human activities primarily add carbon via:

Photosynthesis Fossil fuel combustion and deforestation Ocean absorption Volcanic eruptions