Deep Ocean
Description:
As the life above dies and begins to decompose, this carbon rich material usually drifts slowly down to the bottom of the ocean as biogenous ooze, forming a layer along the ocean floor. This layer may sometimes get covered by other sediment.
As the life above dies and begins to decompose, this carbon rich material usually drifts slowly down to the bottom of the ocean as biogenous ooze, forming a layer along the ocean floor. This layer may sometimes get covered by other sediment.
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Carbon Transfer Process: Diffusion, Downwelling & Upwelling
Carbon dioxide (CO2) diffuses into the ocean carbon cycle via the air-sea surface exchange. Molecules of CO2 enter the ocean by diffusing into the sea surface waters and dissolving--a physio-chemical process. The amount of CO2 that diffuses and dissolves in the sea surface water depends on variables such as wind, sea surface mixing, concentrations of CO2, and the temperature of the water.
The image above represents the movement (flux) of CO2 into and out of the sea surface of the ocean.
The image above represents the movement (flux) of CO2 into and out of the sea surface of the ocean.
- Purple to blue colors indicate areas of the ocean where more CO2 is diffusing into sea surface water than is diffusing from sea surface water out to the atmosphere. Thus, these areas are acting as a carbon sink.
- Green colors indicate that the movement of CO2 into and out of the ocean is fairly equal.
- Yellow to red colors indicate areas of the ocean where more more CO2 is diffusing out to the atmosphere than is diffusing into sea surface water. Thus, this area is acting as a carbon source to the atmosphere.