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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 17-20 of 89 items.
The image shows the ocean floor at the Polaris hydrothermal field, which is characterized by hydrothermal deposits. Several small chimney structures can also be seen, some of which are covered with microbial mats (in pale yellow). Photo: PS101 AWI OFOS system

Feb 18, 2025

Hot springs in the Arctic

There is a greater variety of hydrothermal systems in the deep sea than previously assumed. This is the result of a recent study on the northernmost ...

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So-called marine snow was a subject of research during the expedition. In order to study these organic and inorganic particles floating in the water column, the researchers need “marine snow catchers”, like the one seen here on board the research vessel. Photo: Florian Pohl, University of Bayreuth

Feb 6, 2025

Research in cloudy layers of water

In mid-January, 19 scientists boarded the research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN in Las Palmas, Spain, to study the vertical and lateral transport of organic ...

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