Manifestations of Photosynthesis in the Evolution of the Global Carbon Cycle

Abstract

The applicability of the photosynthesis equation to the analysis of the changes of global carbon cycle main participants (carbon dioxide, atmospheric oxygen, sedimentary organic carbon) is shown. Photosynthesis is manifested in antiphase changes in the average concentrations of CO 2 and O 2 in the atmosphere and in-phase changes in the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere and the rate of burial of organic matter in the sediment. Due to the regulatory role of photosynthesis, the global carbon cycle spontaneously moves to a stationary state, what makes it possible to estimate the amount of buried organic matter in the earth’s crust. This parameter is the key in the study of the biosphere, its evolution, for the study of various geochemical correlations.