Marine carbon pumps

Marine carbon pumps are natural processes that help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the deep ocean. Phytoplankton, tiny ocean plants, absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis. When they die or are eaten, their remains sink to deeper waters, trapping carbon away from the atmosphere. This process effectively transfers carbon from the surface to the deep ocean, acting as a critical part of Earth's climate regulation. Marine carbon pumps play a vital role in controlling atmospheric CO₂ levels and mitigating climate change.