Ocean eddies transporting plankton throughout the water column

Plankton in the ocean can help reduce the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide building up in our atmosphere. Like plants, they use carbon dioxide to grow and are eaten by larger organisms. Large, heavy particles sink to the depths, carrying down carbon so it cant return to the atmosphere. Scientists are investigating whether large amounts of smaller, lighter particles can be swept into the depths by swirling eddies. (Illustration by Eric S. Taylor and Melissa Omand, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)