The Ocean Carbon Pump
Lesson notes
Overview
Plankton fix CO₂ and sink carbon into the deep sea. This topic is rated advanced and is number 92 of 98 in Earth & Space. Deeper models, formal results and harder reasoning.
What you are seeing
The panel above shows the steps of a process, laid out in order. Click a step to see what happens next. The animation is drawn live from the model, so everything you see responds to the sliders. Press Space to pause, use Restart to replay from the start, and change the speed to slow down quick events.
In depth
The ocean takes up CO₂ by two routes. The solubility pump dissolves CO₂ in cold water that sinks at high latitudes. The biological pump begins when phytoplankton fix CO₂ by photosynthesis at the surface, and some of the carbon sinks as dead cells and faecal pellets into the deep sea, where it can be stored for centuries. Together they have absorbed about a quarter of human emissions. Warming and acidification could weaken them.
Reading the relationship
The expression "biological pump" is a compact summary of the idea. It uses the symbols b, i, o, l, g, c; name what each one stands for before you start. Notice that it contains a logarithm, which turns multiplication into addition and compresses large values. Then use the sliders to see how changing one quantity changes the others.
A guided exploration
1. Run the animation once with the default settings and describe in words what happens. 2. Change one slider at a time and note which quantity responds most. 3. Push each slider to its extreme and decide whether the result still makes sense.
Try this
Try to explain why the pattern holds, not just what it is. Look for limiting cases and what happens at the edges.
Common pitfalls
Earth and space systems work on very different scales of time and distance. Check which scale a number refers to before comparing it with another.
How it connects
It builds on “Renewable Energy Mix”, the topic before it in Earth & Space. Once you are comfortable, continue with “Coral Reef Bleaching”.
Why it matters
Earth and space science helps us understand our planet, its climate and the wider universe.
Where you might use it
- Revising “The Ocean Carbon Pump” before a class, exam or certification
- Forecasting weather and understanding climate records and their uncertainty
- Planning for earthquakes, floods and other natural hazards in cities
- Interpreting satellite images, space missions and the age of rocks and stars
Frequently asked questions
What is The Ocean Carbon Pump?
Plankton fix CO₂ and sink carbon into the deep sea. It is an advanced topic in Earth & Space.
How do I use the The Ocean Carbon Pump simulation?
The panel at the top shows the steps of a process, laid out in order. Click a step to see what happens next. Move the sliders one at a time, then press Space to pause the animation and look closer.
What does the formula mean?
The expression biological pump packs the idea into symbols. Name each symbol first, then change one quantity with the sliders and see which others respond.
Who is this topic for?
Deeper models, formal results and harder reasoning. If the quiz feels hard, reread the lesson notes and try the previous topic first.
What should I learn before this?
Start with “Renewable Energy Mix”, the previous topic in Earth & Space. Each topic in a subject builds on the ones before it.
How do I track my progress?
Press “Mark as learned” on this page. Progress is stored only in this browser and is never sent anywhere. The Browse page can show topics you have learned or still need to learn.