The Earth is the only known planet in the universe containing a fixed amount of each stable element .Carbon is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. Carbon can exist in several forms. “It can be found in diamonds and limestone (rock), carbon dioxide (gas), carbonic acid (water), and is present in all life forms.” (1) Nitrogen is another abundant element on Earth. “The nitrogen cycle is a part of the Earth’s system because the majority of the Earth’s atmosphere (78-80%) is nitrogen.” "Nitrogen is essential for many biological processes; it is crucial for any life on Earth.” (2) Nitrogen might be essential for all life on Earth, but not all of it can be used at once. It has to go through a process called nitrogen fixation just so it can be used by plants. Just like nitrogen, carbon is also needed to support life on Earth. “Carbon is used as a fossil fuel methane gas and crude oil (petroleum). Carbon can also be found in pencils, clothing, and even food.” (1) Both carbon and nitrogen can do many great thing for the people of Earth, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Small amounts of carbon won’t harm or even kill anything, but in larger quantities carbon can become harmful, even lethal. Carbon is mostly harmless, unless it is in carbon monoxide form, in which case it is extremely toxic and lethal to all humans and animals that breathe it in. “Carbon black (coal dust or soot) can also be harmful if inhaled. It can cause the congestive lung disease known as “coal worker’s pneumoconiosis”. (1) Nitrogen, like carbon is also mostly harmless, but only in smaller quantities. In large quantities, nitrogen begins to become toxic. “Nitrogen is used in most, if not all fertilizers, which means a lot of nitrogen is being spread across the fields and lawns of millions of peoples houses throughout the world. Because of this, there have been dramatic environmental changes, including surface and groundwater pollution, ocean dead zones, and a boost in global warming.” (2)
Bibliography
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon, Carbon, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, November 14, 2009.
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, November 22, 2009.
picture urls
1.www.scienceclarified.com/Ca-Ch/Carbon-Family.html
2.earth.rice.edu/.../energy/50_nitrogencycle.html
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Worker_at_carbon_black_plant2.jpg
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