A groundbreaking study has revealed that small zooplankton, such as copepods, krill, and salps, play a crucial role in the Southern Ocean’s ability to absorb and store carbon. The “seasonal migrant pump” process, where zooplankton migrate to depths below 500m in autumn, stores around 65 million tonnes of carbon annually through respiration and mortality. This process is overlooked in current climate models, but it is essential for understanding the Southern Ocean’s carbon sequestration. The study found that copepods dominate this process, accounting for 80% of the carbon flux, while krill and salps contribute 14% and 6%, respectively. The research highlights the need to update climate models to include zooplankton-driven carbon fluxes and to protect Southern Ocean ecosystems, which are threatened by industrial fishing and warming. The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of the ocean’s role in mitigating climate change and emphasize the importance of preserving these ecosystems to maintain their carbon sequestration function.
Tiny migrants in the ocean have a profound impact on carbon storage in the Southern Ocean.
