Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key information and themes:
Main Discovery:
seasonal Vertical Migration Pump: Zooplankton (copepods, krill, and salpas) undertake a seasonal vertical migration in the ocean.
Carbon Transport: This migration acts as a “pump” that transports a important amount of carbon (65 million tons per year) from the surface to at least 500 meters below the ocean’s surface.
Carbon Sequestration: This process is a crucial mechanism for storing carbon,also referred to as “carbon kidnapping.”
Meaning of the Discovery:
Climate Impact: The amount of carbon transported is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 55 million diesel cars.
Climate Models: The researchers emphasize that these findings should be integrated into climate models to improve predictions of global warming. Without this biological pump, atmospheric CO2 levels would be roughly double the current amount.
Research Methodology:
Data Analysis: The research analyzed data dating back to the 1920s. Field Research: Scientists conducted fieldwork on the polar ship “Sir David Attenborough” near the South Orkney Islands and South georgia.
Zooplankton Capture: They used large nets to capture zooplankton, working in darkness with red light to avoid disturbing the animals.
Microscopic Examination: Researchers worked in cold rooms (3-4°C) to examine the zooplankton under microscopes.
Threats to Zooplankton and Carbon Storage:
Climate Change: Warming waters, altered oceanic layers, and extreme weather conditions are identified as major threats.
Commercial Krill Fishing: The large-scale capture of krill (nearly half a million tons in 2020) is criticized by environmental advocates and could reduce the amount of zooplankton and thus carbon stored in the deep ocean.
Key Figures and Institutions:
Jennifer Freer: Researcher who analyzed zooplankton.
Professor daniel J. Mayor: Provided images and is associated with the research. Professor Angus Atkinson: Co-author of the study from the Marine laboratory of plymouth, UK.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Provided a greenhouse gas emission calculator for comparison.
Marine Laboratory of Plymouth, UK: Affiliation of Professor Angus Atkinson.
* Limnology and Oceanography: The scientific journal where the research was published.
Overall Message:
The text highlights a vital, yet potentially threatened, natural process that plays a significant role in regulating Earth’s climate by sequestering carbon. It underscores the importance of understanding and protecting these delicate marine ecosystems.
