Symphony in C: Carbon and the Evolution of (Almost) Everything

by Robert M. Hazen

Overview

A Science News Favorite Book of 2019

An enchanting biography of the most resonant—and most necessary—chemical element on Earth.

Carbon is everywhere: in the paper of this book and the blood of our bodies. It’s with us from beginning to end, present in our baby clothes and coffin alike. We live on a carbon planet, and we are carbon life. No other element is so central to our well-being; yet, when missing or misaligned, carbon atoms can also bring about disease and even death. At once ubiquitous and mysterious, carbon holds the answers to some of humanity’s biggest questions. Where did Earth come from? What will ultimately become of it—and of us? With poetic storytelling, earth scientist Robert M. Hazen explores the universe to discover the past, present, and future of life’s most essential element.

We’re not only “made of star stuff,” as Carl Sagan famously observed, but “Big Bang stuff,” too. Hazen reveals that carbon’s grand symphony began with a frenzied prelude shortly after the dawn of creation, bringing new attention to the tiny number of Big Bang–created carbon atoms that often get overlooked. In minutes, violently colliding protons and neutrons improbably formed the first carbon atoms, which can still be found within our bodies. His book then unfolds in four movements, building momentum as he explores carbon as the element of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

He visits the famed volcanic crater Solfatara di Pozzuoli near Naples, where venting carbon dioxide and other noxious fumes condense into beautiful crystals. He climbs the cliffs of the Scottish Highlands and delves deep into the precious-metal mines of Namibia, journeying toward Earth’s mysterious core in search of undocumented carbon structures.

Hazen often asks us to pause and consider carbon’s role in climate change and what we can do about it, for our lives and this element are inextricably intertwined. With prose that sparkles like a diamond, Symphony in C tells the story of carbon, in which we all have a part.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393609431
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	06/11/2019
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,140,720
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Robert M. Hazen is executive director of the Deep Carbon Observatory based at the Carnegie Institution’s Geophysical Laboratory and Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Sciences at George Mason University. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

Table of Contents

Prologue ix

Silence 1

Movement I Earth: Carbon, the Element of Crystals 3

Prelude-Before Earth 5

Exposition-Earth Emerges and Evolves 21

Development-Deep Earth Carbon 53

Recapitulation-Carbon Worlds 75

Coda-Unanswered Questions 80

Movement II Air: Carbon, the Element of Cycles 81

Introduction-Before Air 83

Arioso-The Origin of Earth's Atmosphere 86

Intermezzo-The Deep Carbon Cycle 95

Arioso, Da Capo-Atmospheric Change 119

Coda-The Known, the Unknown, and the Unknowable 127

Movement III Fire: Carbon, the Element of Stuff 133

Introduction-Material World 135

Scherzo-Useful Stuff 142

Trio-Nano Stuff 148

Scherzo, Da Capo-Stories 153

Coda-Music 163

Movement IV Water: Carbon, the Element of Life 165

Introduction-The Primeval Earth 167

Exposition -Origins of Life 169

Development-Life Evolving (Theme and Variations) 201

Recapitulation-The Human Carbon Cycle 238

Finale-Earth, Air, Fire, and Water 244

Acknowledgments 247

Notes 251

Index 269

Editorial Reviews

03/11/2019

In this clearly written study, Hazen, a George Mason University science professor, explores what is known about carbon’s impact on the universe’s 13.8-billion-year history, from the Big Bang and the formation of stars and planets to the origin and evolution of life. It is, he declares, the “most adaptable, most useful element of all.” Hazen demonstrates that carbon, unique among the elements for its versatility, is an essential subject for study both on a cosmic scale, for supplying the “most critical chemical link across the vastness of space and time,” and on Earth, for how human alterations to the global carbon cycle are causing significant climate change. Beyond the science, Hazen brings the process of scientific investigation to life. Whether he’s describing the way researchers measure the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by volcanoes, and the grave risks associated with such endeavors, or how animals first produced calcium carbonate shells for protection, Hazen conveys the delight he finds in the process of understanding the world around him. Even while demonstrating just how much humanity has learned about the “element of life,” his enthusiastic survey also shows the limits of existing knowledge and the potential for future discoveries in an exciting field. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"From the Big Bang to coal, carbohydrates, and ultra-strong high-tech nanofibers, Robert M. Hazen provides an illuminating and enjoyable guide to the remarkable odyssey of carbon, the element of life. Enjoy the trip!"

Andrew Knoll

"This book is an incredibly rich story of carbon and its role in of life. Hazen has outdone himself in delivering an engaging, edifying, great read. If you don’t know why carbon is important in your life, or even if you think you do, you should put down whatever you’re reading and get this book."

Paul G. Falkowski

"Hazen’s virtuoso performance captures the wonder of the sixth element—from volcanic gases to al dente pasta to life’s very beginnings—while telling the wonderful stories about the people behind the discoveries."

Terry Plank

"Covering topics from carbon’s ancient origins to the threats that carbon compounds pose to our future climate, Hazen’s book is a fascinating read. Symphony in C chronicles cutting-edge science that’s helping researchers make better sense of the carbon-rich world around us."

Science News

"C is the element carbon. C is a musical note. Scientist-musician Hazen uses the element and the note to compose a symphonic masterpiece that reveals how the primitive life that began on our planet four billion years ago has evolved into Darwin’s ‘endless forms most beautiful.’"

David W. Deamer

"A valuable and welcome explanation of why we would do well to pay more attention to the sixth element—and of how much more remains to be discovered about its planetary role through time."

Nature

"A valuable and welcome explanation of why we would do well to pay more attention to the sixth element—and of how much more remains to be discovered about its planetary role through time."

Nature Lib

★ 06/01/2019

In this sweeping history, Hazen (earth sciences, George Mason Univ.; The Story of Earth) presents the findings, tuned for a popular audience, of the Deep Carbon Observatory's decade-long investigations into the king of elements. Hazen leads the international, multidisciplinary endeavor, whose mission is to understand carbon at the planetary scale, "4.5 billion years of Earth history; crust to core, at scales from nano to global." The story of C, in Hazen's telling, is a complete science class, challenging yet accessible. Readers learn how carbon came to be the chemical basis of life along with why it can be as hard as diamond and as soft as graphite and how it's been an energy blessing, and now, a climate menace. The author also shows how earth's geosphere and biosphere coevolved, enlivening the narrative with awe-inspiring discoveries engaging readers with humor and personality. The history and process of science, a key theme, is smartly supported by its symphonic structure—its "movements," titled Earth, Air, Fire, and Water in a nod to the ancients, while its "soloists" are Hazen's many research collaborators whom he celebrates with mini-profiles. VERDICT In composition and expression, this carbon symphony is of the highest order, as entertaining as it is enlightening. [See Prepub Alert, 10/22/18.]—Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont.

Library Journal

2019-03-03

An appealing popular-science account of carbon, the "giver of life."

According to this lively, expert overview, although carbon is only the fourth most abundant element in the universe—and second in the human body—it is the key to everything. Hazen (The Story of Earth: The First 4.5 Billion Years, from Stardust to Living Planet, 2012), executive director of the Deep Carbon Observatory at George Mason University, emphasizes that "carbon, by itself, and in chemical combinations with other atoms, provides unmatched cosmic novelty and unparalleled potential for cosmic evolution….As the basis for all biomolecules, no other element contributes so centrally to the well-being and sustainability of life on Earth, including our human species." The author divides the book into a symphony of four movements, each entitled with a classical element: earth, air, fire, and water. "Earth" begins with the universe itself. Carbon, essentially absent after the Big Bang, first appeared in the cores of massive stars, spreading across the universe when those stars died and exploded in supernovae. Our planet formed 4.5 billion years ago from dust and rocks in a protoplanetary disc rotating around the young sun. Extremely hot at first, as it cooled, heavy elements (mostly iron) sank, taking most of the carbon, but plenty remained in the "Air" as carbon dioxide engaged in the essential carbon cycle, shifting between atmosphere and ocean, plunging deep into the Earth and then emerging through volcanoes. Readers expecting to learn how massive amounts of extra carbon dioxide from the human burning of hydrocarbons are destabilizing the cycle will not be disappointed. In "Fire," Hazen, a smooth stylist, reminds us that carbon remains our major source of energy but also the source of almost everything we use, from shampoo to the soles of our shoes. "Water" is essential for life, at least on Earth. Scientists disagree on how life began, but few doubt that only carbon, with its supreme ability to link with other elements, makes it all possible.

A skillful account of the central element in our lives.

Kirkus Reviews

"Hazen’s enthusiasm, the string of shareable facts presented, and the introduction of so many interesting scientists… make this book such a fascinating read.… Hazen brings a distinct and intentionally personal perspective to this topic.… Throughout Symphony in C, science is presented as a living and very human endeavor."

Science - Nicola Pohl

"Hazen sets the record straight in this thoughtful love letter to [carbon]."

Discover - Gemma Tarlach

"Probing.… Science that burrows into issues of profound interest."

Booklist

"A valuable and welcome explanation of why we would do well to pay more attention to the sixth element—and of how much more remains to be discovered about its planetary role through time."

Nature - Ted Nield