Understanding the Biological Pump and Carbon Cycle in the Ocean

 
Introduction to the Biological
Pump
 
 
Photosynthesis and Respiration
 
Photosynthesis
 
Respiration
 
Photosyntheis and Respiration and
atmospheric CO2
 
Where do we see photosynthesis and respiration on
this curve?
 
The ocean is a large carbon reservoir
 
Only the surface
ocean is in
equilibrium with
the atmosphere
 
What maintains
the deep ocean
carbon reservoir?
 
Photosynthesis and Respiration in the
Ocean
 
Organisms that perform photosynthesis in the water column
of the ocean are called 
phytoplankton
Although phytoplankton account for only 
1-2% 
of the total
global biomass, these organisms are responsible for about 
30-
60% 
of the global annual fixation of carbon.
 
Photosynthesis
 
Carbon dioxide is removed from the
atmosphere by 
phytoplankton
 that use CO
2
,
sunlight and nutrients to make food through
the process of 
photosynthesis
.
CO
CO
2
2
Phytoplankton
Photosynthesis
 
Respiration
 
Some CO
2
 is then released back into the water
through respiration as the 
phytoplankton
break down their food to release energy.
CO
CO
2
2
Phytoplankton
Respiration
Photosynthesis
 
Consumption
 
Some of the carbon is passed on to primary
consumers
: 
zooplankton 
(drifting animals
living in the water column) and other f
ilter
feeders 
(animals that filter water to catch their
food) that depend on phytoplankton for their
energy.
Animals release CO2 through respiration
CO
CO
2
2
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Consumption
Respiration
Photosynthesis
CO
CO
2
2
Respiration
 
Decomposition
 
Decomposition is the breakdown of non-living organic
matter
Bacteria play a vital role in the biological pump by
decomposing 
waste products and dead organisms that
sink to the deep sea
In most of the ocean, decomposition is aerobic (with
oxygen), and essentially the same as respiration (releases
CO
2
).
In the upper oceans, bacteria can actually weaken the
biological pump by reducing particulate flow to the deep.
CO
CO
2
2
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Bacteria
Consumption
Decomposition
Respiration
Photosynthesis
 
CO
CO
2
2
CO
CO
2
2
Respiration
 
Higher Trophic Levels
 
Consumption continues to transport carbon
through higher trophic levels.
These higher level consumers are eventually
decomposed
CO
CO
2
2
CO
CO
2
2
CO
CO
2
2
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Higher Level
Consumers
Bacteria
Consumption
Consumption
Decomposition
Decomposition
Respiration
Respiration
Respiration
Photosynthesis
 
CO
CO
2
2
Consumption
 
Deep Ocean Carbon Storage
 
The deep ocean is not in equilibrium with the
atmosphere and therefore stores any CO
2
released into the deep ocean for ~1000 years.
 
Overview of the Biological Pump
 
Courtesy of Z. Johnson and
Nature Magazine, October 12,
2001.
 
What limits phytoplankton growth?
 
If there is plenty of carbon in the upper ocean
(there is) and plenty of light – why isn’t there
more biomass?
 
 
Nutrient Limitation
 
Like all primary producers, phytoplankton
need essential nutrients (N, P, C, and trace
metals like Fe, Co, Mg) to grow
The upper ocean has very low nutrients
Nutrient Limitation 
– the concept that growth
is limited by nutrient availibility
 
N, P, Fe
 
How do N, P, and Fe enter the ocean?
N – Nitrogen Fixation (The chemical processes
by which atmospheric nitrogen – N
2 
– is
assimilated into bioavailable compounds)
Only a few organisms
Fe – dust from continents
P, N, Fe – upwelling from the deep
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The biological pump in the ocean involves photosynthesis by phytoplankton, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and respiration, where some CO2 is released back. Phytoplankton are crucial in the ocean's carbon cycle, with primary consumers like zooplankton depending on them for energy. This intricate process maintains a balance of carbon in the ocean and atmosphere, showcasing the vital role of marine organisms in global carbon fixation and circulation.


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  1. Introduction to the Biological Pump

  2. Photosynthesis and Respiration Photosynthesis Respiration

  3. Photosyntheis and Respiration and atmospheric CO2 Where do we see photosynthesis and respiration on this curve?

  4. The ocean is a large carbon reservoir Only the surface ocean is in equilibrium with the atmosphere What maintains the deep ocean carbon reservoir?

  5. Photosynthesis and Respiration in the Ocean Organisms that perform photosynthesis in the water column of the ocean are called phytoplankton Although phytoplankton account for only 1-2% of the total global biomass, these organisms are responsible for about 30- 60% of the global annual fixation of carbon.

  6. Photosynthesis Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by phytoplankton that use CO2, sunlight and nutrients to make food through the process of photosynthesis.

  7. CO2 Photosynthesis Phytoplankton

  8. Respiration Some CO2 is then released back into the water through respiration as the phytoplankton break down their food to release energy.

  9. CO2 Photosynthesis Respiration Phytoplankton

  10. Consumption Some of the carbon is passed on to primary consumers: zooplankton (drifting animals living in the water column) and other filter feeders (animals that filter water to catch their food) that depend on phytoplankton for their energy. Animals release CO2 through respiration

  11. CO2 CO2 Photosynthesis Respiration Respiration Phytoplankton Zooplankton Consumption

  12. Decomposition Decomposition is the breakdown of non-living organic matter Bacteria play a vital role in the biological pump by decomposing waste products and dead organisms that sink to the deep sea In most of the ocean, decomposition is aerobic (with oxygen), and essentially the same as respiration (releases CO2). In the upper oceans, bacteria can actually weaken the biological pump by reducing particulate flow to the deep.

  13. CO2 CO2 Photosynthesis Respiration Respiration Phytoplankton Zooplankton Consumption Decomposition Bacteria Remineralization CO2

  14. Higher Trophic Levels Consumption continues to transport carbon through higher trophic levels. These higher level consumers are eventually decomposed

  15. CO2 CO2 CO2 Photosynthesis Respiration Respiration Phytoplankton Respiration Zooplankton Consumption Decomposition Higher Level Consumers Consumption Consumption Decomposition Bacteria Remineralization CO2

  16. Deep Ocean Carbon Storage The deep ocean is not in equilibrium with the atmosphere and therefore stores any CO2 released into the deep ocean for ~1000 years.

  17. Overview of the Biological Pump Courtesy of Z. Johnson and Nature Magazine, October 12, 2001.

  18. What limits phytoplankton growth? If there is plenty of carbon in the upper ocean (there is) and plenty of light why isn t there more biomass?

  19. Nutrient Limitation Like all primary producers, phytoplankton need essential nutrients (N, P, C, and trace metals like Fe, Co, Mg) to grow The upper ocean has very low nutrients Nutrient Limitation the concept that growth is limited by nutrient availibility Dutkiewicz et al 2012

  20. N, P, Fe How do N, P, and Fe enter the ocean? N Nitrogen Fixation (The chemical processes by which atmospheric nitrogen N2 is assimilated into bioavailable compounds) Only a few organisms Fe dust from continents P, N, Fe upwelling from the deep

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