Carbon cycling in the oceans differs from carbon cycling on land because in the oceans, carbon

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In the oceans, carbon must first diffuse into the water before it can be used by organisms. This is because most marine organisms obtain carbon for growth through dissolved CO2 in seawater. Once the carbon is in the water, it can be taken up by phytoplankton through photosynthesis, respired by other organisms and eventually may be stored in sediments, or returned to the atmosphere via physical or biologically mediated processes.

Carbon Cycling in the Oceans Differs from Carbon Cycling on Land