Carbon fluxes in the oceans: The strange behavior of small particles at density interfaces
Monday, December 13, 2010 - 00:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Researchers have found a remarkable effect while studying how marine particles sink, which could affect the way scientists assess global carbon fluxes. Their question: How fast does organic material and debris clumped together forming porous particles settle to the sea floor? Microbes colonizing these particles degrade the organic matter and release carbon dioxide back to the water. The downward velocity of the particles determines the amount of carbon exported to the deep sea.
