Coccolithophores, tiny algae crucial for Earths climate, remove carbon from seawater, release oxygen, and create calcium carbonate plates that impact global ecosystems.
- Coccolithophores are microscopic organisms that play a vital role in regulating carbon dioxide and carbon levels in seawater, influencing both ocean health and Earths climate.
- These planktonic algae produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, contributing significantly to the global oxygen supply and supporting diverse marine ecosystems.
- Coccolithophores create delicate calcium carbonate plates that sink to the ocean floor, affecting carbon storage and potentially mitigating climate change effects on Earth.
Why It Matters
The study of coccolithophores highlights their essential role in the carbon cycle and oxygen production, which are critical for sustaining life and maintaining balance in Earths climate systems.