Dynamic Interplay: Unveiling the Biosphere-Geosphere Nexus in Carbon Cycling

Abstract

A model describing the interaction of geological and biosphere processes is proposed. It is based on the postulate of the gravitational effect of the bodies of the solar system on the lithosphere plates' movement through magma flows and deep breathing of the Earth. The continuous movement of the plates consist of orogenic cycles. The cycles include a short-term orogenic periods of relatively fast plates' movement and long-term geosynclinal periods of relatively slow movement. The fast movement is caused by rifting, when magma breaks through the thin shell of the lithosphere and hardens in contact with sea water, forming a new plate. During the orogenic period, oceanic plates collide with the continental margin plate in the subduction zone. The energy of the collisions initiates thermochemical sulfate reduction, in which sedimentary organic matter (OM) is oxidized. The resulting CO2 rises to the surface of the Earth, spreads over the planet, initiating photosynthesis. In the geosynclinal period due to the slow plates' movement the released collision energy is insufficient to initiate thermochemical sulfate reduction.