SUFB 872: Climate Change And Ocean Acidity Reducing Carbon-Absorbing Plankton
Every second breath of air we take is due to the Ocean. Phytoplankton is responsible for this great breath of fresh air because they use photosynthesis to produce Oxygen while using up CO2 in the process. It is also one of the reasons why Climate...
Every second breath of air we take is due to the Ocean. Phytoplankton is responsible for this great breath of fresh air because they use photosynthesis to produce Oxygen while using up CO2 in the process. It is also one of the reasons why Climate Change has not grown out of control; however, Climate Change has affected the development and abundance of phytoplankton over time.
A new study shows diatoms, a species of phytoplankton with a silica cell wall that absorbs CO2 and sinks down to the bottom of the Ocean, where the CO2 is fixed onto the seafloor. The diatoms sink because of their heavy silica wall. Unfortunately, the silica wall in diatoms has been shrinking as the Oceans become more acidic. The silica walls have become smaller and the diatoms are not sinking to the seafloor where the CO2 can be fixed.
Find out more details by listening to the episode.
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