Marine Ecosystems and the Biological Carbon Pump

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The ocean plays a major role in mitigating the impact of climate change, sequestering 20-30% of atmospheric anthropogenic carbon dioxide each year. The Biological Carbon Pump refers to the biological processes that transport oceanic carbon from the surface to the ocean deep. It is a key controller of how much carbon is stored in the ocean, however there are many influences on this system, from food-web interactions to physical and chemical drivers. Understanding these influences and their impact on carbon sequestration is vital in order to improve climate change predictions. This project will therefore use a modelling-based approach to explore and analyse different ecosystem impacts on the functioning of the BCP, both under present day conditions and over the 21st century.