The 'biological pump'

The 'biological pump'

The 'biological pump' The biological pump is a natural process that helps remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. The microalgal plankton (phytoplankton and mixoplankton ) fix CO₂ through photosynthesis and convert it into organic matter. Some leaks into the water; most makes microalgal biomass. If they are not eaten, the dying microalgae sink to the deep ocean, taking carbon with them. A very small % of that may become buried. The gas and oil we extract originated over 10's millions of years from buried microalgae Marine animals eat plankton, and their waste (faecal pellets) also sinks and may also be buried. Plankton’s role in the carbon cycle