Iron Whale
(3 Points) What is the biological pump as it relates to the ocean?
The process of obtaining carbon dioxide molecules from the atmosphere is influenced by the biological pump. This pump increases the carbon dioxide molecules in the deeper parts of the ocean which results to the decrease in the atmospheric carbon dioxide by turning and incorporating the carbon dioxide molecules into living matter or phytoplankton. Upon fixation of the molecule into the phytoplankton, the organism starts to descend to the deeper levels of the earth due to gravity (Earth guide, n.p.).
(3 Points) Where did this study take place? Why is this area important?
(3 Points) What element is typically limiting in the marine environment?
The element typically limiting in the marine environment is iron (Lavery, et al., 3527).
(3 Points) How is iron stimulation (addition) in the ocean related to the carbon cycle?
The study stated that increase in the levels of iron in the ocean can help decrease atmospheric CO2 and increase the CO2 molecules found in the deeper regions of the ocean. Excessive amount of iron in the photic zone have been proven to stimulate eutrophication or production of algal blooms which traps atmospheric CO2 molecules. Once excessive nutrients have been noticed during the eutrophication, the algal blooms will start to sink taking with it the atmospheric carbon dioxide molecules, thus, stimulating the removal of the molecules from the atmosphere.
(3 Points) What is the most important finding (result) that the authors made in this paper?
The important finding of this study is the support and evidence it provided to debunk the thought that mammalian excrement can only contribute to the worsening increase of atmospheric carbon. Also, the study was able to determine and explain the role of the excrement of sperm whale in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide which results to slowing down of the major consequences of global warming.
List one concept or write one question that you think should be on the final Celebration of Knowledge.
I think the major effects of global warming should be on the final Celebration of Knowledge since majority of the environmental and health control has already been linked to the worsening condition of global warming or climate change. By including the effects of global warming on the final Celebration of Knowledge, information will be disseminated to other population which can alleviate the current and future effects of the phenomena.
Works Cited
Earth Guide. University of California, San Diego, n.d. Web. 27 Apr 2015.
Lavery, T.J., Roudnew, B., Gill, P., Seymour, J., Seuront, L., Johnson, G., Mitchell, J.G., and Smetacek, V. Iron defecation by sperm whales stimulates carbon export in the Southern Ocean. Proceedings of the Royal Society 277:3527-3531. PDF. 27 Apr 2015.
