Carbon is the fourth most abundant element found on Earth, and is essential to all life as we know it. It is found in all living substances, and is essentially the key element for life. Because the carbon atom has the ability to form bonds with up to four other atoms, it can help form solid minerals (such “ limestone), ‘squishy’ organisms (such as plants and animals), and it can be dissolved in water. Carbon is also present in rocks, dissolved in rivers, lakes and oceans, and is in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The exchange of carbon between these reservoirs is identified as the ‘carbon cycle’. The paths taken by carbon atoms in this cycle are known as ‘sinks’, and are extremely complex, as they may take millions of years to come full circle. In this essay I will demonstrate understanding on how carbon is added to, and removed from, the atmosphere and how it is stored. I will explore the main processes in the carbon cycle – photosynthesis, respiration, plants, animals, decomposition, oceans, fossil fuels, and volcanism – and how they interlink together to form a complete and full cycle.…