Why is the ocean described as the world’s largest carbon sink?
Sink/Sources in the carbon cycle?
Carbon movement through the marine carbon cycle.
Help
Phytoplankton
Woods wrong btw
The ocean is described as the world's largest carbon sink because it has the capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This is a natural process that occurs as part of the carbon cycle, where carbon is continuously exchanged between the atmosphere, land, and ocean.
In the carbon cycle, there are two main categories: sinks and sources. Sinks are reservoirs that absorb more carbon than they release, while sources release more carbon than they absorb. The ocean acts as a sink because it takes in more CO2 than it releases.
The movement of carbon through the marine carbon cycle starts with the ocean surface. As carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water molecules to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This acid then dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+). Some of the bicarbonate ions further dissociate into carbonate ions (CO32-).
These forms of carbon can then be utilized by marine organisms such as phytoplankton, which are microscopic plant-like organisms that photosynthesize. Phytoplankton utilize CO2 and sunlight to produce energy, releasing oxygen in the process and converting CO2 to organic carbon.
When phytoplankton die or are consumed by other organisms, their organic carbon sinks to the deep ocean, where it can be stored for long periods of time. This organic carbon is eventually decomposed by bacteria, which release CO2 back into the water. Some of this CO2 can then diffuse back into the atmosphere, although a significant portion remains in the deep ocean.
The ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink is crucial as it helps to mitigate the effects of increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, which can contribute to global warming and climate change. It helps to slow down the rate at which CO2 accumulates in the atmosphere, thereby helping to regulate the Earth's climate.
Understanding the carbon cycle and the role of the ocean as a carbon sink is important because it highlights the vital role that oceans play in regulating the global climate system. By reducing carbon emissions and preserving the health of our oceans, we can help maintain the delicate balance of the carbon cycle and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "'carbon sink' ocean" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_sink
http://harvardmagazine.com/2002/11/the-ocean-carbon-cycle.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71416.php
http://science.hq.nasa.gov/oceans/system/carbon.html
http://climateprogress.org/2007/10/22/big-news-the-ocean-carbon-sink-is-saturating/
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.