Carbon is returned from an organic state to an inorganic state in a number of ways. As an animal breathes, t exhales carbon dioxide, returning it back to the atmosphere. When an animal or plant dies, it is broken down by bacteria or fungi and again the carbon is released. This is the process of decomposition
Sometimes, instead of fully decomposing, a plant or animal may become fossilized leading its carbon to being stored in a rock. After millions of years and under the right conditions, these fossils may be turned into fossil fuels which are oil, coal and natural gas
The carbon stored in fossil fuels is released when they are burned, this release is called carbon dioxide emission
Each different fossil fuel emits a different amount of carbon dioxide as well as carbon monoxide and soot (carbon particles)
Because people use fossil fuels so much more these days, the emission rate is approximately 30% higher than it was 200 years ago
These carbon levels are important because having more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is linked to having an increase of heat that is being trapped in the atmosphere (greenhouse effect)
Carbon is found in the hydrosphere as dissolved carbon dioxide

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