Which of the following best explains the importance of studying the ocean carbon cycle?
a. The oceans have a significant impact on the levels of atmospheric gases.
b. It is a new field of ocean science.
c. The ocean releases one quarter of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
d. All of the above
All of the given choices are reasons to study the ocean carbon cycle. The ocean occupies about 70% of the earth surface area and it plays important roles in carbon cycling.
The ocean acts as reservoir for carbon in many different ways especially due to the dissolution of this gas in it.
It also releases a significant amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere due to the plethora of life within it.
The field is also relatively new and more works must be done to understand this cycle.