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The Biological Carbon Pump

What do we lose if the biological carbon pump (BCP) disappears? It’s amazing, but tiny ocean microbes help control Earth’s climate! These microbes make the ocean a big part of the global carbon cycle, storing 50 times more carbon than the air. In this collection, you’ll learn how these small organisms drive the carbon cycle—and how climate change is affecting this system. Start with the poem A Love Letter to the Ocean by Helen Scales to see why the ocean is so important. Then, explore topics like ocean acidification, stratification, and plankton to find the hidden links that shape our planet.

Media Type

  • Video Video
  • Interactive Interactive

Thanks to

Partners

  • NFB Education
  • Ocean Frontier Institute
  • Dalhousie University
  • NFB