IntroMany natural processes are constantly occurring around us, these processes are often linked by passing from one type of atom to the next process which passes the same atom to the next and so on . This "passage of the atom" along a chain of processes is called a cycle, the series of processes through which the carbon atom passes is called the carbon cycle. Each carbon is the fourth richest element in the universe and makes up a significant portion of many of the molecules that make up most of the planet's natural resources and organic matter. This is why the carbon cycle is one of the most important cycles on Earth. Throughout the cycle, carbon can take many different forms, such as sugar, oil, diamond and marble. Processes such as photosynthesis, combustion and compression of the earth play a key role in the modification, retention and release of carbon. All chemical reactions, processes and forms created by carbon are part of the carbon cycle, which is one of the most important cycles on Earth. The majority of carbon on earth is found in the atmosphere, the rest is stored in rocks, fossil fuels, oceans, plants and soil. Carbon is constantly being added to the atmosphere, the most common forms being carbon dioxide and methane. At the same time, land and ocean plants eliminate them. Carbon can be stored for hundreds of years in sediments, fossil fuels, rocks and oceans. Carbon in the atmosphere is almost always a compound called carbon dioxide. Adding carbon to the atmosphere. Currently, Earth's atmosphere contains most of the world's carbon. In 2010, carbon levels in the atmosphere were measured at 18.4 billion metric tons. Respiration and excretionThe most common natural water...... middle of paper ......d used in photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide can also combine with water to create carbonic acid. Carbon dioxide (CO2) + water (H2O) = carbonic acid (H2CO3) which is transformed into carbon compounds which go down to the seabed, these carbon compounds often. Carbon is also consumed by aquatic plants and used in photosynthesis, a process similar to the process seen in non-aquatic plants, but there is an abundance of water and a limited amount of carbon atoms. Length of stagesCarbon can stay in one stage of the cycle for one hour and in others for up to 200 million years, it depends on the stage of the cycle. Carbon, in the form of coal, oil and even diamonds, can stay underground for a million to 200 million years, longer than any other stage of the cycle. While carbon is consumed by plants for photosynthesis, carbon can be released within hours..