Question

carbon on earth is found in both living and nonliving matter. in order for carbon to be continuously available, it must be recycled. through which process is carbon made available in the atmosphere?

formation of fossil fuels
layering of soil
plant photosynthesis
forest fires

Explanation:

1. Formation of fossil fuels: Carbon is trapped in fossil fuels for long - term and removed from the active carbon cycle in the atmosphere.
2. Layering of soil: This process is mainly related to soil structure and not a major carbon - releasing process to the atmosphere.
3. Plant photosynthesis: Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, not release it into the atmosphere in this process.
4. Forest fires: When forests burn, organic matter is combusted, releasing carbon that was stored in plants and trees back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Answer:

D. forest fires