The movement of carbon through the surface, interior, and atmosphere of the Earth. Carbon exists in atmospheric gases, in dissolved ions in the hydrosphere , and in solids as a major component of organic matter and sedimentary rocks , and is widely distributed.
Inorganic exchange is mainly between the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
The major movement of carbon results from photosynthesis and respiration, with exchange between the biosphere , atmosphere and hydrosphere. Rates of exchange are very small, but over geologic time they have concentrated large amounts of carbon in the lithosphere , mainly as limestones and fossil fuels. This carbon was probably present as CO 2 in the primordial atmosphere. See Greenhouse Effect . Oxford University Press 5.