Long -term data analysis indicates rethinking regional differences in ocean carbon sequence

A new publication by researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences at Oxford University suggests that there is a relationship between water temperature and main biological system by which the ocean catchs atmospheric carbon dioxide (co)₂) It is far more complicated than before. Is paper Published In the journal Geophysical research letter,

Drawing on long-term time-series data from Oceanographic stations such as Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, research highlights how the currently available data quality limits our understanding of this important mechanism in the carbon cycle.

Organic carbon pump (BCP) is an important part of the carbon cycle of the Earth, which removes CO₂– The main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming – from the atmosphere and close it into the deep ocean. This occurs when microbes are called phytoplinkon₂ Die and drown during photosynthesis or by making calcium carbonate shells, then through a water column₂ With them.

Known as “Marine Snow”, this shower of biogenic particulate materials transfers an estimated 10 billion tons of carbon to the interior of the ocean every year, almost the same amount that is emitted annually by burning fossil fuels. As a result, it plays an important role in regulating the amount of CO₂ In the environment and therefore the climate of the Earth.

So far, it has been believed by ocean scientists that the water temperature is the main factor that determines how efficiently the BCP transfers atmospheric carbon into the deep ocean, and therefore it will vary with geographically latitude. However, the results of the new study put it in question.

Researchers used long -term, good quality data from six places worldwide, making them responsible for seasonal variations. It was combined with data of a series of national and international research projects, using a variety of marine particle samples -including the networks, radiometric techniques and underwater cameras.

Using this amalgamation of data, the research team was certainly unable to conclude that BCP’s transfer efficiency on the global ocean is operated by temperature. This is largely because variations in data – by differences in experimental methods or natural ups and downs (as an atmosphere, also “weather” in the ocean) – masked any possible trends, raises the question that the question raises the question that Do such trends exist.

Lead researcher Dr. Anna Rufas (Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University) said, “The absence of clear patterns can be explained by the difference between methods in research projects, mainly because there are no standard method protocols. Therefore, there are there. Large differences between the attitude of research groups studying this problem.

This can be addressed by protocol standardization for collection of marine particle data. Researchers traditionally called for better data collection in underscripted areas, such as polar areas in winter, which are important for ocean carbon sequences.

Co-writer Professor Summer Khatiwala commented, “Anyone who has been on the ship knows that the ocean is a beautiful ‘noise’ place. It makes the pattern identity incredibly challenging, even like BCP Even more data for complex processes, where data are there are the best and often collected using different measurement techniques.

Co-writer Professor Heather Bumman said, “BCP provides an essential ecosystem service, naturally removes additional CO₂ Regulating the temperature of our planet from the atmosphere. In a world where cum₂ Removal techniques are becoming increasingly important, understanding this fundamental ocean process is important to identify its possible contribution in the coming decades. ,