Carbon
Introduction
When discussing matters to do with climate change, most people associate carbon to carbon dioxide. As a chemical element, carbon can exist in an impure form or a pure form. It can also combine with other elements to form molecules. One of the allotropic forms that carbon exists is carbon black as a non-crystalline allotrope. However, carbon black contains impurities due to the process of its formation. It also exists in molecular forms such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Consequently, this paper discusses the role that carbon, in the form of carbon black, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, plays in nature and whether it is harmful or essential to nature.
Understanding the Role of Carbon
Carbon as an element is present in the universe in different forms. It is one of the most known elements, and abundantly exists in the earth’s atmosphere (National Center for Biotechnology Information). First, carbon dioxide is formed through combustion, organic decomposition, and respiration. Secondly, carbon monoxide is formed through the incomplete combustion of carbon contained in fuels such as coal and wood. Lastly, carbon black is formed through the partial combustion of hydrocarbon fuels such as gas and oil and biomass (Bansal and Donnet 68).
When carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere exceed acceptable limits, it becomes the most dangerous greenhouse gas to the environment. Increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide mean the atmosphere traps more thermal energy, which in turn leads to global warming (Withey, et al. 109408). Also, increased levels of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere can lead to adverse effects on human health. As for carbon black, it also has the capability of polluting the atmosphere, thereby contributing to global warming.
After their formation, the different forms of carbon play essential roles in the environment. When it comes to carbon dioxide, it plays a critical role in the plant and animal processes, which include respiration and photosynthesis (Lal, et al. 4). As a greenhouse gas, it also traps infrared heat in the earth’s atmosphere, which is essential for different life forms on earth. Lastly, black carbon helps in long term storage of carbon in soils and sediments.
Through fuel combustion, it is argued that humans have significantly added to the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide. Callendar refers to such additions as artificially produced by humans (Callendar 223). Even though carbon is a natural element, various human activities have increased its concentration in different forms in the atmosphere. Such artificial production of carbon dioxide has resulted in increased temperatures across the globe.
Carbon Cycle
A complete carbon cycle involves various steps. From the atmosphere, it moves to plants in the form of carbon dioxide. It leads to the photosynthesis process, where plants pull carbon dioxide from the air to produce food using carbon. When animals eat plants, they obtain carbon atoms available in the plant. Afterward, through the death of plants and animals, carbon moves to the soil and rocks (Lal, et al. 5). After millions of years, the buried animals and plants turn into fossil fuels, which also contain carbon. Besides, animals and plants also get rid of carbon to the atmosphere through respiration. It also moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere through combustion.
Lastly, the excess carbon released in the atmosphere is absorbed by oceans and other water bodies. Thus, from the above cycle, it is evident where all the carbon goes. First, rocks and oceans store most of the carbon on earth. Besides, the weathering of rocks adds to carbon deposits on water bodies. In the atmosphere, it is found as a part of the carbon dioxide gas. Lastly, the carbon atom is also found in fossil fuels and the soil (Lal, et al. 4). Its existence in nature means that it is an element that sustains life on earth, including in living organisms.
Summary
Having analyzed the role carbon plays in nature, it is both a harmful and beneficial element to nature. Whether it is useful or detrimental to nature depends on its composition in its various forms, especially its existence as a part of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Its importance in the ecosystem is exemplified by the carbon cycle. Besides, it is found as an atom in different components of the earth.