Material World - 06/11/2008

Quentin Cooper explores new research looking into the geological process known as the Deep Carbon Cycle. It is becoming increasingly clear that the carbon cycle with which we are familiar should perhaps not be treated as a closed system, and that what is going on under our feet could also be having a critical role. He finds out how the geological sciences could help to identify geodynamic processes and carbon reservoirs, help us to recognise evolutionary processes throughout the Earth's history and perhaps help us to predict what lies ahead.