Carbon pumps

Question 1

Carbon sequestration

Answer 1

The natural storage of carbon by physical and biological processes

Question 2

Biological pump

Answer 2

• Phytoplankton absorb carbon by photosynthesis
• Fish and other animals eat the phytoplankton and release the CO2
• Some of the carbon sinks to the deep ocean where it can decompose and sequester in rocks

Question 3

Carbonate pump

Answer 3

• CO2 dissolves in water to make carbonic acid
• Many organisms use the carbonates and calcium ions to make their calcium carbonate shells
• When they die the carbon can either sink to the ocean bed and form limestone or dissolve and release carbon back into the oceans

Question 4

Physical pump

Answer 4

• Carbon is absorbed by the ocean
• Warm surface water moves towards poles where is cools and sinks
• Is stored in the deep ocean for a long period of time
• Cool water replaces the warm surface water and warms up the atmosphere

Question 5

Thermohaline circulation

Answer 5

Ocean water is circulating due to variations in heat and salinity