Question

3.1.9-12.k carbon is one of the elements common to all living things. like other essential elements, carbon is moved throughout the earth in a cycle. humans are currently adding to the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. how is this impacting the rest of the carbon cycle? the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing because plants cannot absorb the excess. decomposer activity is increasing to remove the extra carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and return it to the soil. fossil fuels are now being made from carbon in the atmosphere instead of decaying organisms. the amount of carbon released to the atmosphere by animals during respiration is decreasing.

Explanation:

Burning fossil fuels releases large - amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Since plants can't absorb the excess, it disrupts the natural carbon cycle. This leads to an imbalance in carbon distribution, contributing to climate - change related issues such as global warming. Decomposer activity isn't increasing to remove the extra carbon dioxide, and animal respiration isn't decreasing. Fossil fuels are formed over long periods and not currently being made from atmospheric carbon instead of decaying organisms.

Answer:

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing because plants cannot absorb the excess.