Marine Carbon Cycle Concepts

The video explores the marine carbon cycle, highlighting the role of oceans as a carbon sink. It covers the fast carbon cycle, the biological carbon pump involving phytoplankton, and the transfer of carbon to the deep sea. The video also discusses the storage of carbon in marine sediments and the role of coral reefs. It concludes with the impact of human activity on the marine carbon cycle and the importance of addressing carbon emissions.

What is the primary role of the marine carbon cycle in the context of climate change?

• To sequester carbon and mitigate climate change

• To release more carbon into the atmosphere

• To increase ocean temperatures

• To decrease ocean salinity

Which organisms are primarily responsible for the fast carbon cycle through photosynthesis?

• Coral reefs

• Zooplankton

• Phytoplankton

• Baleen whales

What percentage of the Earth's oxygen is produced by phytoplankton?

• 80%

• 70%

• 60%

• 50%

What is diel vertical migration?

• A daily movement of marine organisms from deep to surface waters

• A seasonal migration of whales

• A process of coral bleaching

• A method of carbon release into the atmosphere

How do organisms like squid and sharks contribute to carbon storage during diel vertical migration?

• By increasing ocean acidity

• By releasing carbon into the atmosphere

• By storing carbon in their bodies

• By dissolving carbon in water

What is marine snow?

• Organic material falling from surface waters

• A form of ice in polar regions

• A type of oceanic precipitation

• A type of coral reef

How do whale falls contribute to the carbon cycle?

• By increasing ocean temperatures

• By releasing carbon into the atmosphere

• By providing nutrients to surface waters

• By storing carbon in deep-sea ecosystems

What is the role of upwelling in ocean circulation?

• To increase ocean salinity

• To bring carbon from deep waters to the surface

• To decrease ocean temperatures

• To dissolve carbon in surface waters

How does downwelling affect carbon movement?

• It releases carbon into the atmosphere

• It carries carbon to the deep ocean

• It decreases ocean salinity

• It increases ocean acidity

What is the significance of the thermo-haline circulation in the carbon cycle?

• It increases ocean temperatures

• It decreases ocean salinity

• It releases carbon into the atmosphere

• It controls carbon movement based on temperature and salt content