Carbon

• What organisms are primarily involved in the Biological Carbon Pump?

  Phytoplankton and zooplankton
• What do phytoplankton require to survive?

  Sunlight, CO₂, and nutrients
• How do phytoplankton reduce atmospheric CO₂?

  By converting CO₂ into organic matter through photosynthesis
• What do some species of phytoplankton form as part of their growth?

  Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) shells
• What role do zooplankton play in the Biological Carbon Pump?

  They feed on phytoplankton and transfer carbon up the food web
• How do zooplankton contribute to carbon transport in the ocean?

  By excreting waste as fecal pellets rich in organic carbon
• What is diel vertical migration in zooplankton?

  Movement to the surface at night and deeper waters during the day
• What happens to zooplankton when they die?

  Their bodies sink to the seafloor, enhancing carbon storage
• What is "marine snow" in the context of the Biological Carbon Pump?

  Remains of marine organisms that sink through the water column
• What does the carbonate pump refer to?

  The role of organisms forming calcium carbonate shells
• How does thermohaline circulation affect carbon distribution?

  It distributes carbon, nutrients, and heat throughout the ocean
• What drives thermohaline circulation?

  Differences in water temperature and salinity
• What happens to seawater in polar regions?

  It cools and becomes denser, sinking to the ocean floor
• What is the global conveyor belt in ocean currents?

  It carries sinking water from polar regions to other ocean parts
• What is upwelling in ocean currents?

  Deep water rises to the surface, bringing nutrients
• How does thermohaline circulation aid in carbon storage?

  It isolates carbon from the atmosphere for centuries
• Why is the Biological Carbon Pump important for the environment?

  It reduces atmospheric CO₂ levels and sustains ecosystems
• What can trigger a phytoplankton bloom?

  Ideal conditions of sunlight, nutrients, and CO₂
• Where do phytoplankton blooms often occur?

  Nutrient-rich areas like upwelling zones
• What is one threat to the Biological Carbon Pump from climate change?

  Disruption of ocean currents and nutrient availability
• How does Arctic meltwater affect thermohaline circulation?

  It dilutes salinity, preventing cold water sinking
• What type of blooms can pollution cause?

  Harmful algal blooms
• Why are harmful algal blooms a concern?

  They do not sequester carbon effectively and harm marine life
• What are the threats to the carbon pump?

  1. Climate change- more Arctic meltwater disrupts thermohaline circulation. Less nutrients available in surface waters
  2. Agricultural run off- Run off lead to harmful algae blooms which do not sequester carbon effectively
  3. Ocean turbulence- changes in wind or storm activity can disrupt nutrient distribution
• Where is most carbon in the carbon cycle stored?

  In the geological store
• Where is most carbon in trees stored?

  In the woody stems of trees
• Explain the greenhouse effect?

  1. Solar radiation emmitted by the sun to earth
  2. Absorption of some radiation by the Ozone and some is reflected into the atmosphere
  3. Some heat escapes to space but increasing levels of heat is being trapped due to greenhouse gases
• Explain the albedo effect?

  Whiter surfaces like snow reflect more sunlight leading to colder surfaces
• How could warmer temperatures change the albedo effect in polar regions?

  1. More meltwater decreases the amount of white surfaces
  2. Less sunlight is reflected leading to more thawing of the permafrost
  3. This becomes a positive feedback loop
• Why is thawing of permafrost in polar regions an issue?

  1. Huge amount of methane is released (more warming potential than CO2)

  2. Organic matter is exposed to microbial activity and decomposition releases CO2