The carbon cycleकार्बन चक्र

NCERT Fig 13.13 · interactive diagram

Parts and their functions

• CO₂ in the atmosphere (वायुमंडल में CO₂) — Only ~1% of Earth’s carbon, but it controls the greenhouse effect; 315 ppm (1960) → 420 ppm (2025).
• Photosynthesis (प्रकाश-संश्लेषण) — Plants and phytoplankton use sunlight, water and CO₂ to make glucose and release O₂ — carbon enters the living world.
• Plants (producers) (पौधे (उत्पादक)) — Store carbon as glucose, starch and cellulose; carbon is ~49% of their dry weight.
• Animals (consumers) (जंतु (उपभोक्ता)) — Get carbon by eating plants or other animals.
• Respiration (श्वसन) — Plants and animals break down glucose for energy and release CO₂ back to the air — the fast cycle.
• Decomposers (अपघटक) — Bacteria and fungi break down dead bodies and wastes, releasing CO₂.
• CO₂ from decay (अपघटन से CO₂) — Carbon in dead matter returns to the air as decomposers respire.
• Fossil fuels (जीवाश्म ईंधन) — Remains buried for millions of years become coal, oil and gas — the slow cycle.
• Industry and vehicles (उद्योग और वाहन) — Burn fossil fuels for electricity and transport.
• Combustion (दहन) — Burning fuels and forests releases stored carbon as CO₂ almost instantly — the main cause of the recent rise.
• Ocean (महासागर) — Absorbs CO₂ (carbonate/bicarbonate ions for plankton and shells) and releases some; holds ~71% of global carbon. Too much makes it acidic.

Original diagram drawn by Simple Learning Hub, based on NCERT Fig 13.13. Report a mistake