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How marine snow cools the planet--And how ocean acidification could reverse that effect
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/uos-hms031319.phpPublic Release: 13-Mar-2019
How marine snow cools the planet
And how ocean acidification could reverse that effect
University of Sydney
University of Sydney scientists have modelled how carbonate accumulation from 'marine snow' in oceans has absorbed carbon dioxide over millennia and been a key driver in keeping the planet cool for millions of years.
The study, published in Geology, also helps our understanding of the ocean's future capacity to store carbon dioxide, which is vital given warming-ocean acidity has increased 30 percent since 1800.
"Marine snow is the falling debris of dead organisms in the ocean, such as plankton and algae," said the study's lead author, Dr Adriana Dutkiewicz.
"The deep ocean floor is covered with the remains of these tiny sea creatures. They produce more than 25 percent of the oxygen we breathe and form the Earth's largest carbon sink. When organic particles fall from the surface ocean to the seafloor, a small but significant proportion of atmospheric carbon is stored away."
…
http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G45424.1How marine snow cools the planet
And how ocean acidification could reverse that effect
University of Sydney
University of Sydney scientists have modelled how carbonate accumulation from 'marine snow' in oceans has absorbed carbon dioxide over millennia and been a key driver in keeping the planet cool for millions of years.
The study, published in Geology, also helps our understanding of the ocean's future capacity to store carbon dioxide, which is vital given warming-ocean acidity has increased 30 percent since 1800.
"Marine snow is the falling debris of dead organisms in the ocean, such as plankton and algae," said the study's lead author, Dr Adriana Dutkiewicz.
"The deep ocean floor is covered with the remains of these tiny sea creatures. They produce more than 25 percent of the oxygen we breathe and form the Earth's largest carbon sink. When organic particles fall from the surface ocean to the seafloor, a small but significant proportion of atmospheric carbon is stored away."
…