The Journey of a carbon atom.

 One hundred and twenty five years ago, a dinosaur was walking through Wye Valley. The surrounding area was full of carbon atoms from the atmosphere, vegetation and exhaled air. The dinosaur was searching for food. As he walked around the valley he lowered his head and grabbed a luscious leaf. As he chewed his way through it he dropped down dead, with the leaf wedged in his left nostril.

 The carbon atoms were trapped within the dinosaur and remained here to be deeply buried within the strata of the earth, as sediments accumulated on the surface above.

 Over the passing of time the dinosaur decomposed. Decomposing bacteria was assimilating the carbon atom; the bacteria decomposers were trying to break the atom apart. It was converting the atom into carbon dioxide. All decomposers including various bacteria and fungi, helped to break down large organic molecules into smaller ones. This released stored chemical energy as well as assisting in the release of stored atoms and molecules that were involved in a variety of nutrient cycles. By releasing these nutrients from dead tissues, decomposers make them available to other living members of the surrounding eco system.

 The high temperature and pressures that were generated over the years, lead the dinosaur to become fossilized.

 Million of years later it was broadcast on national television, that a group of palaeontogists, would be excavating a site at Wye valley. My family and myself traveled to the site to see this amazing moment. The crowds were gathering the television crews were waiting with anticipation. I managed to squeeze through the crowds leaving my family behind to get a front line view of this incredible moment. As I was watching, it began to rain; the rain carried the carbon atom off the dinosaurs nose into a puddle. The sun came out, and evaporated the puddle. The carbon atom was carried in water vapor into the atmosphere, where it collected with lots of other water vapor to form a cloud. The cloud became increasingly heavy as more and more water vapor accumulated. As it was a very still day and there was no wind movement, from above my head, the cloud burst and rain containing the carbon atom landed on my nose. In an amazing period of time the carbon atom had passed between a dinosaurs nose and my own, I wonder where it will go next!