Whats is the difference between biocarbon and fossil carbon?
Carbon is a macro element present in abiotic and biotic factors. It is commonly found in the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere for maintaining equilibrium. Carbon can be in the form of gas, solid, and liquid.
The discussion provides a detailed insight into the difference between biocarbon and fossil carbon with a comparison chart.
What Is a BioCarbon?
BioCarbon is the carbon exchanged between living organisms and the environment. It is also said to be a renewable carbon present in biological systems such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
For instance, plants obtain carbon from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide which helps in the manufacture of food during photosynthesis. Animals obtain biocarbon from plants.
The decomposition of both plants and animals result in biomass. The amount of carbon present in the biomass is known as biocarbon. The main storage of bio carbons is forested.
What Is a Fossil Carbon?
Fossil carbon is the carbon present in fossil fuels. Fossil fuel is a natural fuel that occurs in the form of gas or coal.
The geological process of dead plants and animal matter happens to be the main source of fossil fuel. It can be found in the form of crude oil or natural gas.
Crude oil and natural gas are extracted from the deep surface of the earth. Mining and digging are the main ways of how to extract fossil fuels.
Comparison Chart: BioCarbon Vs Fossil Carbon
| Basic Terms | BioCarbon | Fossil Carbon |
| Definition | It is the carbon found in the biosystem such as plants, animals, and microorganisms | It is the carbon found in fossil fuels such as natural gas and crude oil |
| Found in | Plants, animals, and microorganisms | Natural gas and crude oil |
| Renewable or non-renewable | Renewable | Nonrenewable |
| Occurrence | Higher storage | Lower storage |
| Formation | Circulation in the environment | Geological processes |
Core Differences between BioCarbon and Fossil Carbon
- Biocarbon is a carbon present in biological systems whereas fossil carbon is a carbon present in fossil fuels
- Bio carbons are formed through circulation in the environment while fossil carbon through geological processes
- Biocarbon occur in higher amounts whereas fossil carbon occur in lower amounts
- Biocarbon is renewable whereas fossil carbon is non-renewable
- Biocarbon is found in plants, animals, and microorganism whereas fossil carbon is found in natural gas and crude oil
Comparison Video
Summary
The core difference between biocarbon and fossil carbon is that biocarbon is carbon present in bio-systems while fossil carbon is carbon present in fossil fuels.