BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins University researchers have expressed concern after finding a major increase in the world's population of plankton, citing rising carbon dioxide levels as a potential cause.
A new study investigating North Atlantic plankton data from 1965 to 2014 found that the amount of Coccolithophore increased tenfold over that time period, Phys.org reported.
According to John Hopkins University news release, Coccolithophore are made of a calcium casing and are a major food source for zooplankton and fish. They absorb carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen over thousands of years, storing it deep in the ocean.
It is unknown what effects — positive or negative — that this phenomenon may have on the ocean in the long term, Phys.org reported.
"The consequences of releasing tons of carbon dioxide over the years are already here and this is just the tip of the iceberg," explained Sara Rivero-Calle, a John Hopkins doctoral student.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://plus.google.com/+TomoNewsUS/
Instagram @tomonewsus http://instagram.com/tomonewsus
