ESS101C
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Ocean Carbon Pumping Hypothesis
qCarbon was exported from surface oceans to the deep ocean during glaciations by higher rates
of photosynthesis and biological productivity.
qPhotosynthesis and organic
productivity occur in the surface ocean because of sunlight and nutrients.
qPhotosynthesis extracts CO2
from surface waters and incorporates it in organic tissue
(CH2O), some of which sinks to the deep ocean.
CO2 + H2O à
CH2O + O2
in the surface ocean
sinks to deep ocean