Carbon Cycle Flux Lab

Carbon Cycle — Atmospheric CO₂ & Reservoirs

The carbon cycle describes how carbon moves between the atmosphere, oceans, terrestrial biosphere, and geological reservoirs through processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion. This simulation implements a box model of the major carbon pools so you can increase fossil-fuel emissions or change deforestation rates and watch atmospheric CO₂ concentration respond over decades. The ocean carbon sink and its pH consequences are visible outcomes of the model.

What you can do in this simulation

• Set annual fossil-fuel emission rates and trace the atmospheric CO₂ concentration path
• Adjust deforestation or reforestation rates and observe terrestrial carbon pool changes
• Watch carbon flux arrows between atmosphere, ocean, soil, and vegetation reservoirs
• Increase ocean uptake fraction and observe the corresponding pH decrease
• Compare a business-as-usual scenario against a net-zero emissions pathway

Concepts covered

carbon reservoir · carbon flux · atmospheric CO₂ · ocean acidification · photosynthesis · greenhouse gas

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• Coral Reef Ecosystem Simulation
• Biodiversity Simulator — Species & Ecosystems
• Climate Modeling — Temperature & Feedback Loops
• Conservation Biology — Population Viability
• Ecosystem Dynamics — Predator-Prey Cycles
• Pollution Dispersion — Air & Water Contaminants

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