Earth Systems and Atmosphere

Carbon Connects All Spheres

Certain chemical elements are present in all sphere and they move between the spheres. Each of the Earth’s spheres contains carbon.

Carbon is found in the atmosphere mostly as carbon dioxide (CO2), an important greenhouse gas.	Carbon is found in the lithosphere stored in carbonate rocks. It is also found in fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas.
Carbon is found in the biosphere stored in plants and trees. It is a basic building block of life.	Carbon is found in the hydrosphere dissolved in ocean water and lakes.