The marine carbon cycle involves the biological, carbonate, and physical pumps, crucial for removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the oceans. This episode delves into why oceans are a significant carbon sink and their pivotal role in the global carbon cycle.

The biological pump includes processes like respiration, predation, and decomposition, alongside the thermohaline circulation, which facilitate carbon sequestration. We explore the roles of phytoplankton, the food web, diel vertical migration, marine snow, and whale-falls.

The carbonate pump focuses on limestone formation and the contributions of coral skeletons and shell-building animals, highlighted by the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.

The physical pump addresses upwelling, downwelling, and the thermohaline circulation, underscoring the marine carbon cycle's significance.

For more deep-sea insights, visit our deep sea website.

Music by Gareth Coker.