Reservoirs of Organic Carbon
Organic carbon can be found in some ecosystems, such as in bogs or on ocean floors, stored in large quantities. Carbon dioxide is taken in by producers, and the producers are eaten by consumers. Both animal and plant matter is then decomposed. Decomposition is very slow due to a lack of oxygen in the water, so carbon found in decaying plant matter and animal matter is able to be converted into peat or oil. This peat becomes covered with sediment over time. Pressure and a rise in temperature transforms the peat into coal, still trapped between rocks. Humans the dig up this coal and burns it to provide energy, releasing carbon back into the air.