Deep-sea corals reveal secrets of past rapid carbon dioxide increase (IMAGE)

Boston College

Deep-sea corals reveal secrets of past rapid carbon dioxide increase

Caption

Researchers examined deep-sea coral fossils - species Desmophyllum dianthus - to study carbon sequestration in the Southern Ocean 20,000 to 10,000 years ago. The chemical signatures of nitrogen and carbon in the coral fossils revealed that ocean carbon sequestration decreased as phytoplankton failed to devour macronutrients supplied by upwelling currents in the Southern Ocean and trap carbon dioxide in the deep ocean.

Credit

Tony Wang, Boston College

Usage Restrictions

Please credit

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.