Carbon The Element of Life, Coal, and Diamonds

Carbon constitutes only 0.027% of Earth s crust. Although some carbon occurs in elemental form as graphite and diamond, most is found in combined form. Over half occurs in carbonate compounds, and carbon is also found in coal, petroleum, and natural gas. The importance of the element stems in large part from its occurrence in all living organisms Life as we know it is based on carbon compounds. 

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