The increasing plankton help store the atmospheric CO2 in the ocean. It's a complex ecological system that buffers itself.
Scientists have long thought that the number of coccolithophores, which are chalk-shelled alge, would decline due to an excess of carbon dioxide. These single-shelled algae play a role in the cycling of calcium carbonate, a factor in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. More specifically, researchers believed that more-acidic oceans would be the downfall of these organisms.
In this latest study, though, the researchers analyzed the data from the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey from the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea since the mid-1960s. This revealed that carbon dioxide may actually be causing an increase in the population of coccolithophores.
"Coccolithophores have been typically more abundant during Earth's warm interglacial and high CO2 periods," said William Balch. In the long term, they help remove carbon dioxide from the atmospheres and confine it in the deep ocean.
Scientists have long thought that the number of coccolithophores, which are chalk-shelled alge, would decline due to an excess of carbon dioxide. These single-shelled algae play a role in the cycling of calcium carbonate, a factor in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. More specifically, researchers believed that more-acidic oceans would be the downfall of these organisms.
In this latest study, though, the researchers analyzed the data from the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey from the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea since the mid-1960s. This revealed that carbon dioxide may actually be causing an increase in the population of coccolithophores.
"Coccolithophores have been typically more abundant during Earth's warm interglacial and high CO2 periods," said William Balch. In the long term, they help remove carbon dioxide from the atmospheres and confine it in the deep ocean.
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