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Marine Carbon Cycle

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

C-Quest

Dicover molecular pathway for glyco-carbon sequestration

(ERC Consolidator Grant)

sea4society

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

(DAM Research Mission)

Archean Park

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

(ERC Synergy Grant)

Current news

Showing 21-24 of 89 items.

Planktonic foraminifera are tiny marine organisms that are important for the marine ecosystem. In response to the increasing warming and acidification of the oceans, they are migrating deeper into the sea to preserve their populations. Photo: Sonia Chaabane & Julien Sulpis

Jan 27, 2025

Climate change restricts the habitat of microorganisms

If the ocean changes due to climate change, species have to react to this and adapt their habitat, usually migrating to cooler waters. However, migration ...

The research vessel SONNE and the remotely operated diving robot MARUM-SQUID in action during expedition SO306 in the West Indies. Photo: Tim Kalvelage

Jan 16, 2025

Cold-water corals off New Zealand

36 marine researchers are currently traveling with the German research vessel SONNE off New Zealand to study a previously poorly understood but ...

A field full of mussels that use carbonate crusts on the sea floor as a base. Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen

Jan 6, 2025

Microbes and minerals: How microorganisms accelerate calcification

Microorganisms are everywhere and have been influencing the Earth's environment for over 3.5 billion years. Researchers from Germany, Austria and Taiwan ...

Water mirror under a flanche of Yggdrasil. Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen

Nov 14, 2024

First results of the MSM 131 research expedition

The research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN and its crew spent a good six weeks in the North Atlantic led by MARUM scientist Prof. Gerhard Bohrmann investigating ...