Marine heat waves clog ocean's carbon sequestration mechanism

October 07, 2025 由 AI 报道

Two major marine heat waves in the northeastern Pacific have disrupted the ocean's natural process of sinking carbon to the seafloor via zooplankton fecal pellets. A new study reveals shifts in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities that reduced carbon export during these events. This malfunction could impair the ocean's ability to absorb a quarter of human CO2 emissions.