Post on 23-Dec-2015
The Biogeochemical PumpThe Biogeochemical Pump
• The biogeochemical pump is the The biogeochemical pump is the process by which COprocess by which CO22 used in used in photosynthesis is transferred into the photosynthesis is transferred into the ocean resulting in a temporary or ocean resulting in a temporary or permanent storage of carbon.permanent storage of carbon.
• This biogeochemical process involves This biogeochemical process involves phytoplankton, the animals that phytoplankton, the animals that consume them, and the bacteria that consume them, and the bacteria that decompose their waste. decompose their waste.
• The biogeochemical pump plays a The biogeochemical pump plays a central role in the global carbon cycle.central role in the global carbon cycle.
• This slideshow will take you This slideshow will take you through the steps of the ocean’s through the steps of the ocean’s biogeochemical pump.biogeochemical pump.
• As you view the slideshow, As you view the slideshow, record your thoughts while record your thoughts while considering the following…considering the following…
The Biogeochemical PumpThe Biogeochemical Pump
• What 3 primary factors regulate the What 3 primary factors regulate the growth of phytoplankton?growth of phytoplankton?
• How do biologically-produced How do biologically-produced nutrients that sink to the deep ocean nutrients that sink to the deep ocean find their way back to the surface to find their way back to the surface to “refuel” the biogeochemical pump?“refuel” the biogeochemical pump?
• How might environmental changes How might environmental changes (e.g. dust storms, hurricanes, El Nino) (e.g. dust storms, hurricanes, El Nino) influence the biogeochemical pump?influence the biogeochemical pump?
• How does the primary production of How does the primary production of phytoplankton affect aquatic and phytoplankton affect aquatic and terrestrial food webs?terrestrial food webs?
Things to ConsiderThings to Consider
COCO22
Phytoplankton• Carbon dioxide is Carbon dioxide is
removed from the removed from the atmosphere by atmosphere by producers producers (phytoplankton) that (phytoplankton) that use COuse CO22, sunlight and , sunlight and nutrients to make nutrients to make food through the food through the process ofprocess of photosynthesisphotosynthesis..
PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis
COCO22
Phytoplankton
RespirationPhotosynthesis
RespirationRespiration
• Some COSome CO22 is is then released then released back into the back into the water throughwater through respirationrespiration as as the the phytoplankton phytoplankton break down their break down their food to release food to release energy.energy.
COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Consumption
Respiration
Photosynthesis
ConsumptionConsumption
• Some of the Some of the carbon is passed carbon is passed on to primaryon to primary consumersconsumers (like (like zooplankton and zooplankton and other filter other filter feeders) that feeders) that depend on depend on phytoplankton phytoplankton for their energy.for their energy.
COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Bacteria
Consumption
Decom
positi
on
Respiration
Photosynthesis
DecompositioDecompositionn
• Bacteria play a key role in Bacteria play a key role in
the biological pump. They the biological pump. They
breakdown (breakdown (decomposedecompose))
waste products and dead waste products and dead
organisms that sink to the organisms that sink to the
deep sea. (deep sea. (DecompositionDecomposition
releases COreleases CO22.) Bacteria are .) Bacteria are
so good atso good at decompositiondecomposition
that they can actually that they can actually
reduce the amount of reduce the amount of
waste and particulate waste and particulate
matter that normally falls matter that normally falls
to the deep ocean from to the deep ocean from
the surface.the surface.
COCO22 COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Higher LevelConsumers
Bacteria
Consumption
Consumption
Decom
positi
on
Decomposition
Resp
iratio
n
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Higher Trophic Higher Trophic LevelsLevels
• Consumption Consumption continues to continues to transport carbon transport carbon throughthrough higher higher trophic levelstrophic levels..
COCO22 COCO22 COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Higher LevelConsumers
Bacteria
Consumption
Consumption
Decom
positi
on
Decomposition
Resp
iratio
n
Resp
iratio
n
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Higher Trophic Higher Trophic LevelsLevels
• The process The process continues…continues…
COCO22 COCO22 COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Higher LevelConsumers
Bacteria
Consumption
Consumption
Decom
positi
on
Decomposition
Resp
iratio
n
Resp
iratio
n
Respiration
Photosynthesis
RemineralizatiRemineralizationonCOCO22
Remineralization
• As bacteria break As bacteria break
down organic down organic
matter, the COmatter, the CO22
that is notthat is not
remineralizedremineralized is is
stored in the deep-stored in the deep-
ocean sediments.ocean sediments.
COCO22 COCO22 COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Higher LevelConsumers
Bacteria
Consumption
Consumption
Decom
positi
on
Decomposition
Resp
iratio
n
Resp
iratio
n
Respiration
Photosynthesis
SequestrationSequestrationCOCO22
Remineralization
When COWhen CO22 is is stored in the stored in the deep-ocean deep-ocean sediments it is sediments it is referred to as referred to as sequestrationsequestration..
COCO22 COCO22 COCO22
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Higher LevelConsumers
Bacteria
Consumption
Consumption
Decom
positi
on
Decomposition
Resp
iratio
n
Resp
iratio
n
Respiration
Photosynthesis
COCO22
Remineralization
The Biogeochemical PumpThe Biogeochemical Pump
• What 3 primary factors regulate the growth of What 3 primary factors regulate the growth of phytoplankton?phytoplankton?
• How do biologically-produced nutrients that sink to How do biologically-produced nutrients that sink to the deep ocean find their way back to the surface to the deep ocean find their way back to the surface to “refuel” the biogeochemical pump?“refuel” the biogeochemical pump?
• How might environmental changes (e.g. dust storms, How might environmental changes (e.g. dust storms, hurricanes, El Nino) influence the biogeochemical hurricanes, El Nino) influence the biogeochemical pump?pump?
• How does the primary production of phytoplankton How does the primary production of phytoplankton affect aquatic and terrestrial food webs?affect aquatic and terrestrial food webs?
• Need more help? Go here: Need more help? Go here: http://cmore.soest.hawaii.edu/cruises/operex/sutton_http://cmore.soest.hawaii.edu/cruises/operex/sutton_blog.htmblog.htm and read the journals posted on August 03 and 07, and read the journals posted on August 03 and 07, 2008.2008.
Review Your NotesReview Your Notes
http://cmore.soest.hawaii.edu/education/kidskorner/ur_q1.htm