Marine snow viscosity affects ocean carbon storage, study finds

Researchers at Scripps Oceanography and the University of Lincoln found that more viscous marine snow resists bacterial degradation and can carry up to six times more carbon to the deep ocean. The findings were published in Science on October 8.

• Viscous marine snow transports up to 6x more carbon to the deep ocean
• Marine snow moves over 10 Gt of carbon from the surface yearly, but only about 2 Gt reaches depth
• 3D confocal microscopy first let scientists watch live bacteria navigate mucus structure