Biological pump
Biological pump
The Biological pump, also known as the marine biological pump, is a process that sequesters carbon from the atmosphere into the deep ocean.
Pronunciation
Biological pump: /baɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl pʌmp/
Etymology
The term "Biological pump" is derived from its function in the cycling of nutrients and carbon in marine systems. The "pump" refers to the action of moving carbon from the surface ocean to the deep ocean, similar to how a mechanical pump would move water.
Process
The biological pump involves the production of organic material, primarily through photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the uppermost, sunlit layers of the ocean. When these organisms die, their remains sink and are decomposed by bacteria, releasing the stored carbon back into the water. Some of this carbon is transported to the deep ocean, where it is sequestered for hundreds to thousands of years.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biological pump
- Wikipedia's article - Biological pump
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