The diagram illustrates the carbon cycle and shows how carbon circulates between the atmosphere, living organisms, fossil fuels and the ocean.
Overall, the carbon cycle is a continuous process that begins with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and circulates between plants, animals, fossil fuels and the ocean before eventually returning to the air.
First of all, the process begins with carbon dioxide, then carbon is transferred from the atmosphere into living organisms. Meanwhile, carbon contained in plants is released into animals through feeding and becomes stored within the animals’ bodies. Subsequently, carbon is converted into carbon dioxide and moves into the atmosphere. After plants and animals die, they decompose, releasing carbon back into the soil and the atmosphere.
In some cases, not all dead organisms decompose immediately. Some are buried under pressure and eventually form fossil fuels. People mine fossil fuels and burn them, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Finally, a proportion of this gas is absorbed by the oceans and later forms calcium carbonate, leading to the creation of limestone and shells.