Oceans: The Carbon Capture Champions

Oceans effectively absorb carbon dioxide through three primary mechanisms. Firstly, the carbon solubility pump enables the transfer of atmospheric carbon dioxide into ocean waters via pressure differences. Secondly, the biological pump utilizes phytoplankton, microscopic photosynthetic organisms, to take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, converting it into organic carbon that can sink to the ocean's depths and become sequestered. Lastly, the carbonate compensation pump converts absorbed carbon dioxide into bicarbonate ions, allowing the ocean to store carbon in various forms. These processes collectively enhance the ocean's role in mitigating atmospheric carbon levels.