Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
CO
2
A
TMOSPHERE
CO
2
,
C
T
Remineralization
Production
Phytoplankton
Grazing
food chain
Exudation
Suspended POM
Microbial loop
DOM
Particles
including
microorganisms
Upward
flux
Viral shunt
Abiotic loop
Marine snow
Aggregation and colonization
Downward
flux
T
HERMOCLINE
CO
2
,
C
T
Remineralization
Production
Sinking POM
Microbial
loop
Particles
including
microorganisms
DOM
Viral shunt
Marine snow
Dissolution
Resuspension
Sequestration
S
EDIMENT
Figure 5.2
Potential consequences of ocean acidii cation for organic matter cycling and microbial activity. Thick grey arrows indicate processes that will
probably be affected by ocean acidii cation, whereas thin lines show processes which are likely to be less affected or not affected at all. Red arrows show
processes enhanced by ocean acidii cation, which will result in an increase in aggregates and remineralization of organic matter in the euphotic zone. Green
arrows show processes enhanced by ocean acidii cation, which result in higher vertical export rates and higher remineralization of organic matter in the dark
ocean. Note that these two types of scenarios are not mutually exclusive but can occur simultaneously. The net effect of ocean acidii cation remains an open
question. The surface and deep oceans are not to scale.
