Ocean Carbon Sink Uncertain After Heat Waves

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute combined GO-BGC and plankton data in Gulf of Alaska to study marine heat waves' effects on food webs and carbon transport.
Marine heat waves like 'The Blob' and 2019–2020 altered plankton, disrupting carbon pump.
2013–2015 plankton produced high surface carbon, but particles piled near 200m, slowing deep-sea transport.
2023 saw 10% drop in ocean CO₂ absorption, increasing atmospheric CO₂.
Researchers warn marine carbon sink's future is uncertain due to uncertain compensating processes.

Climate Change | Marine Biology | Oceanography

United States

Mariana Bif | Galen McKinley

1 month ago