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Sinking sediment

Phytoplankton are part of the oceans' biological pump.

When phytoplankton die, many sink and take their carbon (calcium carbonate shells) to form sediments at the bottom of the ocean. This is called a biological pump, removing carbon from the ocean and atmosphere systems for long periods of time.

Acknowledgement: NOAA

Rights: NOAA
Published:30 June 2010Size: 5.44 MB