Oceans

• What happens as part of the carbon cycle- oceans

  Carbon dioxide is DISSOLVED directly into the oceans from the atmosphere
• What is CO2 in oceans used by?

  Organisms such as phytoplankton and seaweed during PHOTOSYNTHESIS

  and by other marine organisms to form CALCIUM CARBONATE SHELLS and SKELETONS
• one use of CO2 in oceans

  used during photosynthesis

  • eg by seaweed
• One use of CO2 in oceans

  to form calcium carbonate shells and skeletons
• Increased levels of CO2 can do what...?

  Increase the acidity of oceans because the oceans initially absorb CO2

  • Can have adverse affects on marine life
• adverse meaning (google)


  • preventing success or development
  • harmful
  • unfavourable
• What can also affect oceans??

  Global Warming

  • eg organisms sensitive to temp may not be able to survive at higher temps so their numbers decrease
  • = less CO2 is used for them by photosynthesis
  • = less CO2 removed from atmosphere
• give details about warm water

  less able to absorb CO2

  • so as temps rise the amount of CO2 that could potentially be dissolved in the sea decreases