Recent research has unveiled that microscopic algae, specifically diatoms, do not play a crucial role in transporting carbon to the depths of the ocean, particularly in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. This study sheds light on complex processes that regulate our planet's climate and carbon storage in deep waters.
Diatoms, known for their distinctive silica-based structures resembling tiny glass houses, were previously believed to be significant contributors to carbon sequestration. Annually, they absorb billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere, acting as part of the biological carbon pump that directs carbon into deeper ocean layers.
However, the new findings suggest that diatoms do not endure long descents into the ocean. Instead, they remain closer to the surface while carbon is transported to the depths through other, yet unidentified mechanisms. This revelation indicates that diatoms may not contribute as significantly to the Southern Ocean's carbon pump as once thought.
Researchers express concern that ocean warming could impact diatom productivity, potentially reducing the efficiency of the biological carbon pump. Nevertheless, the study suggests that these changes may not significantly hinder the Southern Ocean's carbon storage capacity, highlighting undiscovered processes in the twilight zone of the ocean, where most of the carbon transported to the depths originates.