Notes on Phytoplankton from nature.com
-Phytoplankton may continue to absorb carbon at today's rates despite the constant rise of greenhouse-gas concentrations.
-Phytoplankton live in the upper layers of the world's oceans.
-They use calcium carbonate to build tiny plates on their exterior.
-Building these plates produces carbon dioxide but the amount of the gas consumed during photosynthesis outweighs the amount produced, causing a positive number as the net consumption of this gas in the atmosphere.
-Previous research suggested that changes in the chemistry of the ocean might encourage phytoplankton to become more efficient as carbon sinks, consuming a larger amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but, studies now show that they may not help at all.
-In a lab study, a simulation was performed to test the reaction of phytoplankton when surrounded by higher levels of carbon dioxide. It was found that the organisms began to produce more calcium carbonate plates which in turn produced more carbon dioxide, but, this was balanced with a higher rate of photosynthesis. As a result, carbon dioxide levels stayed the same.
-As the acidity of the ocean rises due to rising carbon dioxide levels, large quantities of calcium carbonate (what their plates are made of) will dissolve, with unknown effects on the organisms.
-Some studies have produced results which point to a decrease in plate production when higher levels of carbon dioxide are introduced. Scientists continue to try and get a consistent answer to this question.
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