Carbon Sequestration by Marine Biota

Carbon sequestration by marine biota maintains the atmospheric levels of CO₂ at 200 ppm less than an abiotic ocean (Volk and Hoffert, 1985). A review is presented of the processes that control the efficiency of carbon cycling through the marine biota. This is essentially to assess the ability of the marine biota to sequester anthropogenic CO₂. At present, it is not clear whether interannual variations and episodic events in biological productivity produce a net uptake of atmospheric CO₂. To increase the sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ by the marine biota requires either increasing new production or delaying the remineralization of organic matter. Suggestions are presented on how to enhance the carbon sequestration by the marine biota.