[Campbell Biology P.651] Based on the text, how do diatoms contribute to the reduction of at... | Practice Question

Based on the text, how do diatoms contribute to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide CO2 levels, particularly during blooms?

  • A: They convert CO2 into a glass-like wall that accumulates on the ocean floor.
  • B: They actively pump dissolved CO2 into deep ocean trenches during photosynthesis.
  • C: Their bodies, rich in absorbed carbon from photosynthesis, sink to the ocean floor and decompose slowly after blooms.
  • D: They release enzymes that chemically convert dissolved CO2 into insoluble carbonates, which then precipitate.

Explanation

The text explains that diatoms absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. During blooms, many uneaten diatoms die and sink to the ocean floor, where their carbon-rich bodies decompose slowly, effectively 'pumping' CO2 to the ocean floor.