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Marine Carbon Cycle

deciphering & bilancing

Through the direct exchange of gases at the sea surface, the marine carbon cycle plays a central role in the climate system. Greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide CO2) can be absorbed by the ocean from the atmosphere as well as released into it. The marine carbon cycle is one of the factors that determine the direction of this exchange.

The aim of the researchers at MARUM is to gain a better understanding of the various core processes of the marine carbon cycle. The marine carbon cycle describes the occurrence and reservoirs of carbon compounds in the oceans, as well as the associated biological and abiotic processes.This includes the primary incorporation of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) into photosynthesizing biomass (algae), as well as the transport and decomposition of organic material on and in the seafloor.

Typical questions are:

  • Where do organisms get the energy to maintain their metabolism?
  • Which symbioses and exchange processes play a role?
  • Under which extreme pressure and temperature conditions is life still possible?

In order to successfully answer these and many other questions, MARUM has excellent and extensive equipment and facilities.



Participating Research Groups
Aggregate of marine snow. Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen; M. H. Iversen)

left: sinking organic particles; right: sketch of the marine carbon cycle

Selection of current research projects

Blasentang

C-Quest

Dicover molecular pathway for glyco-carbon sequestration

(ERC Consolidator Grant)

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NOAA

sea4society

Innovative approaches to improve the carbon storage potential of coastal vegetation ecosystems

(DAM Research Mission)

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Photo Volker Diekamp MARUM

Archean Park

Relics of ancient cellular biogeochemistry in an underground ecosystem with high CO2 content

(ERC Synergy Grant)

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Current news

Showing 5-8 of 89 items.
A hydrothermal vent on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Hot, mineral-rich fluids are distributed throughout the ocean via the dispersion cloud, known as the plume. The photo was taken during the M190 research expedition with the MARUM-QUEST4000 remotely operated vehicle. The arm of the robot holds a temperature lance into the plume to measure the temperature there. Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen. Photo:

Oct 20, 2025

Iron’s Irony

A new review led by the MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen – highlights how hydrothermal vents on the seafloor ...

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