Determine which absorbs more carbon per year: photosynthesizers on land or in the ocean?

Determining which absorbs more carbon per year, photosynthesizers on land or in the ocean, involves several steps:

1. Understand the Carbon Cycle: The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans. Photosynthesizers, such as plants on land and phytoplankton in the ocean, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic carbon through the process of photosynthesis.

2. Research Carbon Absorption Rates: Look for scientific studies or data that provide information on the rate at which land photosynthesizers and ocean photosynthesizers absorb carbon. This information may be presented in terms of carbon absorbed per unit area per year.

3. Compare the Rates: Once you have the rates of carbon absorption for both land and ocean photosynthesizers, you can compare them to determine which absorbs more carbon per year.

4. Consider the Total Area: The total area covered by land photosynthesizers and ocean photosynthesizers also plays a role in the total amount of carbon absorbed. Even if the rate of carbon absorption is higher for one, the other may absorb more total carbon if it covers a larger area.

5. Draw a Conclusion: Based on the rates of carbon absorption and the total areas covered by land and ocean photosynthesizers, you can draw a conclusion about which absorbs more carbon per year.

According to a study published in the journal "Nature Geoscience", the ocean absorbs more carbon than land. The study estimates that the world's oceans absorb 2.5 billion tons of carbon per year, while land plants and soils absorb about 2.2 billion tons. However, this can vary depending on changes in climate, land use, and other factors.