Final answer:
Carbon is transported to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, respiration, plant decay, volcanic activity, and cosmic rays that produce carbon-14.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon Transport to the Atmosphere
There are multiple ways in which carbon gets transported to the atmosphere. One significant method is through the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2). Other natural ways include respiration by animals and plant decay. Additionally, carbon enters the atmosphere via the breakdown of carbonates in ocean sediment, volcanic eruptions, and the decomposition of organic matter in soils.
Sources and Sinks of Carbon Dioxide
Deforestation has an impact on the carbon cycle by reducing the amount of CO2 that plants can absorb during photosynthesis, leading to higher carbon levels in the atmosphere. Cosmic rays also contribute to the atmospheric carbon by creating radioactive carbon-14, which becomes part of the biogeochemical cycle.