Photosynthesis

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The Sun's increasing luminosity begins to disrupt the carbonate–silicate cycle; higher

luminosity increases weathering of surface rocks, which traps carbon dioxide in the
ground as carbonate. As water evaporates from the Earth's surface, rocks harden,
causing plate tectonics to slow and eventually stop. Without volcanoes to recycle
carbon into the Earth's atmosphere, carbon dioxide levels begin to fall. (O'Malley-James,
Jack T. et al.) By this time, carbon dioxide levels will fall to the point at which C3
photosynthesis is no longer possible. All plants that utilize C3 photosynthesis (c. 99% of
present-day species) will die. (Heath, Martin J. & Doyle, Laurance R.)
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Many succulent xerophytes employ the Crassulacean acid metabolism or better known as CAM
photosynthesis. It is also dubbed the "dark" carboxylation mechanism because plants in arid
regions collect carbon dioxide at night when the stomata open, and store the gases to be used
for photosynthesis in the presence of light during the day. Although most xerophytes are quite
small, this mechanism allows a positive carbon balance in the plants to sustain life and growth.
Prime examples of plants employing the CAM mechanism are the pineapple, Agave Americana,
and Aeonium haworthii. (GINDEL, I.)

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