Olivia wrote a few steps to describe how carbon circulates between the atmosphere and the land. Step 1. Carbon is released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels. Step 2. Carbon is absorbed by plants in the process of photosynthesis. Step 3. Carbon is stored in plants and stored in the soil when they die. If step 2 is removed, which statement best describes the effects of this missing step on the carbon cycle? Less carbon is stored in the ground. Less carbon will build up in ocean waters. More carbon is stored in animals. Less carbon is absorbed into the ocean.