Ocean bacteria get 'pumped up': Team discovers new factors impacting fate of sinking carbon
Monday, April 27, 2015 - 14:30
in Earth & Climate
The ocean has been sucking up heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) building up in our atmosphere—with a little help from tiny plankton. Like plants on land, these plankton convert CO2 into organic carbon via photosynthesis. But unlike land plants that are held fast to terra firma, plankton can sink into the deep ocean, carrying carbon with them. Along the way they decompose when bacteria convert their remains back into CO2.