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The Oceanic carbon cycle is a central process to the global carbon cycle and contains both inorganic carbon (carbon not associated with a living thing, such as carbon dioxide) and organic carbon (carbon that is, or has been, incorporated into a living thing). Part of the marine carbon cycle transforms carbon between non-living and living matter.
The Oceanic carbon cycle is a central process to the global carbon cycle and contains both inorganic carbon (carbon not associated with a living thing, such as carbon dioxide) and organic carbon (carbon that is, or has been, incorporated into a living thing). Part of the marine carbon cycle transforms carbon between non-living and living matter.
Ocean mixed layer carbon, c m, is the only explicitly modelled ocean stock of carbon; though to estimate carbon cycle feedbacks the total ocean carbon is also calculated. [ 107 ] Current trends in climate change lead to higher ocean temperatures and acidity , thus modifying marine ecosystems. [ 108 ]
The Martin curve is a power law used by oceanographers to describe the export to the ocean floor of particulate organic carbon (POC). The curve is controlled with two parameters: the reference depth in the water column, and a remineralisation parameter which is a measure of the rate at which the vertical flux of POC attenuates. [1]
This fixation of DIC is an important part of the oceanic carbon cycle. Ca 2+ + 2 HCO 3 − → CaCO 3 + CO 2 + H 2 O. While the biological carbon pump fixes inorganic carbon (CO 2) into particulate organic carbon in the form of sugar (C 6 H 12 O 6), the carbonate pump fixes inorganic bicarbonate and causes a net release of CO 2. [20]
The balance of these carbonate species (which ultimately affects the solubility of carbon dioxide), is dependent on factors such as pH, as shown in a Bjerrum plot.In seawater this is regulated by the charge balance of a number of positive (e.g. Na +, K +, Mg 2+, Ca 2+) and negative (e.g. CO 3 2− itself, Cl −, SO 4 2−, Br −) ions.
The ocean plays a key role in the water cycle as it is the source of 86% of global evaporation. [2] The water cycle involves the exchange of energy, which leads to temperature changes. When water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment.
Carbon can be produced in stars at least as massive as the Sun by fusion of three helium-4 nuclei: 4 He + 4 He + 4 He --> 12 C. This is the triple alpha process.In stars as massive as the Sun, carbon-12 is also converted to carbon-13 and then onto nitrogen-14 by fusion with protons.