Climate Number: 100 Million Metric Tons
In the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, strong winds accompany strong ocean currents that move carbon from the ocean surface to the depths and from the depths to the surface. This ocean is considered to be a “Carbon dioxide (CO2) sink,” or a component of Earth’s climate that takes in more atmospheric CO2 as carbon concentrations in the atmosphere increase. It is also believed to be an important mechanism in the deglaciation process following ice ages, when atmospheric carbon concentrations are low, by “outgassing” more CO2 into the atmosphere than it absorbs. In today’s climate, it is estimated that the Southern Ocean takes in between 100 and 600 million metric tons of carbon ever year.
For Comparison: Americans consume about 100 million metric tons of concrete each year. While this may sound like a huge number, it is small compared to the total amount of CO2 exchange between the oceans and atmosphere each year, which is about 1000 times that amount.
Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Sources: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. “Review of Maritime Transport 2004.” Accessed Online 1 February 2010
