Deep-sea creatures are known for their nightly ascend in a phenomenon called Diel Vertical Migration (DVM), which represents an integral part of Earth’s Carbon Cycle. Such synchronized movements are not just nature’s marvels, but also depict the strategic survival tactics these organisms employ for nourishment and safety.
Understanding Diel Vertical Migration (DVM)
DVM pertains to the synchronized movement of marine organisms, particularly deep-sea dwellers such as zooplankton. These creatures migrate vertically within the water column, moving up towards the surface at night while descending back to deeper levels during the daytime. This pattern enables them to locate food while simultaneously avoiding predators.
At dusk, marine organisms from the mesopelagic layer, or the Twilight Zone, surface to the safer epipelagic zone, or the Upper Layer. They leverage the cover of darkness to feed on microscopic phytoplankton, all while evading any diurnal predators. The process, which is intricately linked to natural light cycles, represents the largest biomass migration on the planet, happening daily across all oceans.
DVM’s Role in Carbon Sequestration
Residing in the mesopelagic layer, these organisms actively remove substantial amounts of carbon from upper ocean layers by feeding on surface plankton and then transporting it to deeper waters. Within the twilight zone, the migrating animals contribute to the food chain, passing on the consumed carbon to their predators. Eventually, the carbon-rich waste sinks to the ocean floor, thereby forming an essential carbon sink that traps carbon dioxide and helps regulate atmospheric carbon concentration.
About Carbon Sequestration
Carbon sequestration refers to the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean. This process can occur naturally or as a result of human activities and typically refers to the storage of carbon.
Types of Carbon Sequestration
Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration: This process involves the absorption of atmospheric CO2 by trees and plants through photosynthesis, which is then stored as carbon in soils and biomass such as tree trunks, branches, foliage, and roots.
Geologic Carbon Sequestration: Here, CO2 can be stored in oil reservoirs, gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, saline formations, and shale formations with high organic content.
Ocean Carbon Sequestration: This process entails the absorption, release, and storage of large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere by the oceans. This can be achieved by enhancing the productivity of ocean biological systems through Iron fertilization, and injecting CO2 into the deep ocean.
Implications of Ocean Acidification
The increasing acidification of oceans raises numerous concerns. It adversely affects the growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton, coral reefs, and some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae. Moreover, it impacts cloud seeding and formation.
Potential Sites for Carbon Sequestration
In the context of mitigating global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, potential sites for carbon sequestration include abandoned and uneconomic coal seams, depleted oil and gas reservoirs, and subterranean deep saline formations.
Agricultural Practices for Carbon Sequestration
Considering global climate changes, certain agricultural practices such as relay cropping, contour bunding, and zero tillage can aid in carbon sequestration or storage in the soil.
