EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is released in the atmosphere. As levels of atmospheric CO2 increase from human activity such as burning fossil fuels (e.g., car emissions) and changing land use (e.g., deforestation), the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean also increases.

Detailed explanation-2: -Research shows the Southern Ocean (the continuous body of salt water around Antarctica) absorbs much more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases. The findings confirm this ocean’s role as a strong carbon sink and an important shield against some of the effects of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

Detailed explanation-3: -Scientists believe that the oceans currently absorb 30-50% of the CO2 produced by the burning of fossil fuel. If they did not soak up any CO2, atmospheric CO2 levels would be much higher than the current level of 355 parts per million by volume (ppmv)-probably around 500-600 ppmv.

Detailed explanation-4: -Of the three places where carbon is stored-atmosphere, oceans, and land biosphere-approximately 93 percent of the CO 2 is found in the oceans.