how does carbon exist in the atmosphere

Carbon exists in the atmosphere primarily as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) gases. These carbon gases cycle through the atmosphere via natural processes like respiration by animals and plants, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and the decay of organic material. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and industrial processes, have greatly increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over recent centuries. The carbon cycle describes the continuous movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and phytoplankton through photosynthesis, which converts CO2 and water into sugars and oxygen using energy from sunlight. Carbon is returned to the atmosphere when plants and animals respire, decay, or burn. Additionally, geological processes like volcanic outgassing release carbon dioxide back into the air. This dynamic exchange maintains carbon's presence in the atmosphere but has been disrupted recently by human emissions, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 and global warming.