Plankton’s Ability To Sequester Carbon Is Influenced by Ocean Density, Study Shows

According to a examine revealed in Royal Society Open Science on November 6, modifications in ocean density considerably affect the power of marine plankton to include carbon into their shells. The findings, led by Dr Stergios Zarkogiannis from the Department of Earth Sciences on the University of Oxford, spotlight the bodily properties of the ocean, comparable to density and salinity, as main contributors to the carbon cycle. The examine underscores the function of plankton in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide ranges, with implications for local weather change.

Research Highlights Physical Drivers of Calcification

The analysis primarily centered on Trilobatus trilobus, a species of foraminifera, that are microscopic organisms identified for his or her carbon-sequestering calcium carbonate shells. These shells sink to the ocean ground upon the organism’s dying, contributing to long-term carbon storage. The examine signifies that modifications in ocean density and salinity instantly affect the calcification course of in these organisms.

Dr Zarkogiannis discovered that decreased ocean density, usually brought on by melting ice sheets and the inflow of freshwater, reduces calcification. This response prevents the organisms from sinking, sustaining their place within the water column. This adjustment not solely ensures survival but additionally impacts ocean alkalinity, enabling elevated CO2 absorption.

Techniques and Key Findings

Modern fossil samples of T. trilobus from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge have been analysed utilizing superior imaging strategies like X-ray microcomputed tomography and hint component geochemistry. The outcomes revealed regional variations in shell thickness, with thinner shells noticed in equatorial areas and thicker ones in subtropical areas the place ocean density is greater.

Broader Implications for Climate Research

The findings counsel that bodily ocean modifications are as important as chemical components in figuring out calcification. This interaction between marine life and ocean properties might affect local weather fashions, notably in areas affected by ice sheet melting. Dr Zarkogiannis emphasised the significance of understanding these dynamics, noting that marine organisms play an lively function within the carbon cycle by regulating buoyancy and, consequently, CO2 absorption.