Lesly Quezada Article: The Oceans Invisible Forest Source/Author: Paul G.

Falkowski

Main Points
Rapid life cycles of marine phytoplankton transfer heat trapping CO2 from the atmosphere and Upper Ocean to the deep sea If phytoplankton were to die the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere would rise by 200 parts per million (35%) Adding nutrients can enhance the ocean surface and can help grow phytoplankton Phytoplankton growth can help their uptake of CO2 Uncertain of the consequences that may occur if they enhance the phytoplankton phytoplankton covers 3/4 of the oceans surface Planets cycle of carbon depends on photosynthetic organisms using the hydrogen to help convert the inorganic carbon in CO2 into organic matter. Oxygenic photosynthesis incorporates 45-50 billion metric tons of inorganic carbon into their cells Phytoplankton draws nearly as much CO2 out of the atmosphere and oceans through photosynthesis as do trees, grasses, and other land plants combined Phytoplankton cells divide every six days; daughter cells are eaten by zooplankton Most influential to climate is the organic matter that sinks to the deep ocean before it decays Phytoplankton act as a biological pump removing CO2 from the surface of the ocean and sending it to the deep Ocean fertilization would have to be conducted year in and year out for decades

Computer simulations and studies of natural phytoplankton blooms indicate that enhancing primary productivity could lead to local problems of severe oxygen depletion creatures that cannot escape to more oxygen-rich waters will suffocate.

The Authors Main Point:

The importance of phytoplankton has been brought to our attention as it benefits the ocean and land. The rapid life cycles of marine phytoplankton transfer heat-trapping CO2 from the atmosphere and Upper Ocean and transfer it to the deep sea. The gas remains sequestered until currents return it to the surface. If phytoplankton were to disappear the concentration of CO2 levels would sky rocket by 200 parts per million or 35% in a matter of centuries. The cycle of carbon dioxide depends on photosynthetic organisms that use hydrogen to help convert the inorganic carbon into organic matter. Phytoplankton draws nearly as much CO2 out of the atmosphere and oceans through photosynthesis for example like trees, grasses and all other land plants. Since the rise of carbonic acid in the ocean, the supply for phytoplankton is decreasing, ocean fertilization is an idea that has been brought up to help fix these problems. The issue is that if they were to fertilize the ocean the effects of high levels of oxygen could harm the habitat.

My thoughts:
I actually never really knew that phytoplankton played such big role in the ocean. Learning this made me think that supplying the ocean with large amounts of nutrients is not the best idea to do. Since the consequences are unpredictable it is best to not risk it and cause another hazard for the sea. I believe more research should be done along with studying the phytoplankton more to see what the best reaction that can be beneficial to both the phytoplankton and the fish.

So What?

Says Who?

What If?

What Does This Remind Me Of?