Ocean productivity and climate change

P Williamson; P M Holligan

doi:10.1016/0169-5347(90)90085-R

Ocean productivity and climate change

Trends Ecol Evol. 1990 Sep;5(9):299-303. doi: 10.1016/0169-5347(90)90085-R.

Authors

P Williamson¹, P M Holligan

Affiliation

¹ Phillip Williamson and Patrick Holligan are at the NERC Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK.

PMID: 21232378
DOI: 10.1016/0169-5347(90)90085-R

Abstract

Satellite measurements and the development of new techniques have confirmed the importance of ocean biology in controlling the carbon dioxide (CO(2)) content of the atmosphere. The marine sedimentary record shows that climate change and the ocean carbon cycle are closely linked: during glacial periods, marine productivity was enhanced and atmospheric CO(2) levels were reduced. Global warming may have the opposite effect, with reduced uptake of CO(2) exacerbating the problems of climate change.