Visual Knowledge

ALT Figure illustrating the role of zooplankton within the biological carbon pump and possible climate-driven impacts on key zooplankton processes. Zooplankton graze on phytoplankton, transferring carbon and nutrients. Excess nutrients in zooplankton are recycled via excretion and egestion either within the upper ocean or throughout the entire water column as some zooplankton undertake diel vertical migration. Unconsumed phytoplankton form aggregates, and together with zooplankton faecal pellets, these particles rapidly sink and are exported to deeper waters. However, bacteria remineralise much of these sinking particles along its descent. The smaller bottom figure showcases the potential direction of change on three zooplankton processes – respiration, grazing, and excretion and egestion, under ocean warming. Studies to date show that zooplankton respiration will increase under a future warmer ocean, however the magnitude of grazing and excretion and egestion are unclear.