Phytoplankton (IMAGE) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Caption The researchers found that sinking particles of stressed and dying phytoplankton release chemicals that have a jolting, steroid-like effect on marine bacteria feeding on the particles. The chemicals juice up the bacteria's metabolism causing them to more rapidly convert organic carbon in the particles back into CO2 before they can sink to the deep ocean. Credit Photo by Dawn Moran, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Usage Restrictions For stories related to this research and with appropriate 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.