Photosynthesis exchange processes

In the exchange and distribution of carbon, an important process is the uptake by green plants. Since C02 is the basis of photosynthesis and more C02 in the air means faster rates of photosynthesis. Other factors are the amount of forested and planted areas, and the effects of climate change on ecosystems. 

Atmosphere-ocean carbon exchange is much controlled by physical processes, including mixing of the surface and deep layers of the ocean across the thermo-cline. Biological processes favor the movement of carbon from the surface layer to deep layers and down to bottom sediments. The biological pump functions as a result of phytoplankton photosynthesis. 

The free 14C atoms formed in the atmosphere become oxidized and form 14C02 which is rapidly mixed throughout the atmosphere (Libby, 1952). This 14C then becomes incorporated into other reservoirs such as the biosphere, as plants fix carbon during the process of photosynthesis the exchange between the atmosphere and the surface ocean is estimated to take approximately 5 y (Broecker and Peng, 1982). 

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