What Is the Biological Pump?
The biological pump is a natural process in the ocean where marine organisms, primarily microscopic phytoplankton, transfer carbon from the atmosphere and surface waters to the deep ocean. This process begins with photosynthesis, where phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide, and ends when their organic matter sinks, effectively sequestering carbon for long periods.
Section 2: Key Steps of the Process
The process involves three main steps. First, phytoplankton at the ocean's surface use photosynthesis to convert dissolved carbon dioxide into organic matter. Second, this carbon is transferred through the food web as phytoplankton are eaten by zooplankton and other organisms. Third, when these organisms die or produce waste, the resulting organic particles, known as marine snow, sink to the deep ocean.
Section 3: A Simple Analogy
Imagine the ocean surface as a garden that pulls carbon dioxide from the air to grow plants (phytoplankton). When these plants die or are eaten, the leftover leaves and organic material (marine snow) fall and are buried deep in the soil (the deep ocean). The biological pump is this entire "gardening and burial" process, which locks away carbon.
Section 4: Why Is the Biological Pump Important?
The biological pump is a critical component of the global carbon cycle and plays a vital role in regulating Earth's climate. By transporting carbon to the deep ocean, it reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, which helps to moderate the greenhouse effect. Without this process, atmospheric CO2 levels would be significantly higher.