Timescale of the biological pump？

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the timescale of the biological pump, which is a crucial component of the carbon cycle. It is established that carbon is recycled to the surface approximately every 1,000 years. However, the biological pump's timescale can vary significantly, ranging from 45 days to 5 years, as noted in a referenced report. This variability raises questions about the accuracy of the data and its implications for understanding the carbon cycle, which is influenced by both geological and biological factors, including the roles of cyanobacteria and plants.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the carbon cycle and its components
  • Familiarity with biological and geological processes affecting carbon dynamics
  • Knowledge of diurnal and seasonal cycles in ecology
  • Awareness of the supercontinent cycle in geology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of cyanobacteria in the carbon cycle
  • Study the impact of seasonal variations on biological carbon sequestration
  • Explore the geological aspects of the supercontinent cycle
  • Investigate the methodologies for measuring carbon pump timescales
USEFUL FOR

Ecologists, climate scientists, and environmental researchers interested in the dynamics of the carbon cycle and its implications for climate change.

Kior
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I'm tying to find any clue about the timescale of the biological pump. That the carbon is recycled to the surface ca. 1,000 years is clear but the timescale of the biological pump seems hard to find. There is an report I saw when I was surfing the internet saying that the timescale can range from 45 days to 5 years which I find is a little shocking. Does it truly vary that much, or there is something wrong about the data?
 
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Are you referring to the carbon cycle?
 
stedwards said:
Are you referring to the carbon cycle?
Yes!
 
It is a good practice to save the references to be handy at a question.

Here is a good description of the carbon cycle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle . As you can see, it has many components from geology and biology. The biological cycle is of course dominated by diurnal and seasonal cycles, as cyanobacteria and plants affect it so much. So the timescale is daily, yearly and so on up to geological scales of plate tectonics (supercontinent cycle).
 

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