Rising ocean temperatures are reducing marine algae. How is this most likely to impact the carbon cycle?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Context: The question asks how rising ocean temperatures that reduce marine algae would affect the carbon cycle. Algae primarily act as carbon sinks through photosynthesis, removing CO2 from the water (and atmosphere) and storing carbon in biomass.
Option 1: 'More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of reduced intake by algae' This is a plausible consequence: with fewer algae, the ocean takes up less CO2, leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere. It reflects the balance between uptake (photosynthesis) and release, and a drop in uptake shifts the balance toward higher atmospheric CO2.
Option 2: 'Increased rates of carbon dioxide in the ocean due to fertilizer runoff of carbon compounds' This statement mixes processes oddly. Fertilizer runoff can stimulate algal blooms and potentially alter carbon cycling, but the question describes a decrease in algae due to warming. The option uses a causal mechanism (fertilizer runoff) that isn’t a direct consequence of reduced algae from warming, making it less relevant to the stated scenario.
Option 3: 'Reduced rates of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels because of less algae to clog waterways' This is scientifically inaccurate: fossil fuel combustion is the primary source of atmospheric CO2, and algae do not regulate fossil fuel emissions. The idea that algae clogging waterways would affect fossil fuel CO2 release is a mischaracterization of the carbon cycle.
Option 4: 'Less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to the reduction in respiration by algae' While algae do respire and release CO2, the net effect of reduced algae is typically less CO2 uptake via photosynthesis, not a net decrease in atmospheric CO2. In many cases, the overall carbon flux would favor higher atmospheric CO2 rather than lower, because photosynthetic removal diminishes more than respiration decreases.
In summary, the most coherent interpretation of the scenario is that fewer algae lead to diminished CO2 removal from the system, contributing to higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The other options either introduce irrelevant mechanisms, rely on incorrect causal links, or imply counterintuitive outcomes that don’t align with how photosynthesis and respiration balance in the carbon cycle.

SCI-BIO B Ecology Module Exam

Rising ocean temperatures are reducing marine algae. How is this most likely to impact the carbon cycle?

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