Which Statement Exemplifies the Biological Pump Concept

Question

Which statement exemplifies the biological pump concept?
A) Autotrophs bring in light photons to synthesize ATP.
B) Bacteria oxidize Fe²⁺ into Fe³⁺, and Archaea reduce Fe³⁺ back into Fe²⁺.
C) Calcium ions are brought into cells while toxic physiological by-products are released.
D) Primary producers sink to the deep ocean, which provides deep ocean organisms with nutrients when the primary producers die.

Accepted Answer

The biological pump concept refers to the process of carbon fixation by phytoplankton in surface waters, followed by their sinking to the deep ocean and their subsequent decomposition by deep ocean organisms, leading to the transfer of carbon from the surface to the deep ocean. Choice D exemplifies this concept by stating that primary producers sink to the deep ocean, providing nutrients to deep ocean organisms when they die.