Question

3. How long would marine snow have to fall to equal the

amount of Carbon stored in a whalefall?
A. two weeks
B. seven years
C. two thousand years
D. ten thousand years
P

Answer 1

The decomposition process of a whalefall takes several years and provides a rich source of nutrients and carbon for deep-sea organisms. It would take more than ten thousand years for marine snow to equal the amount of carbon stored in a whalefall.

Step-by-step explanation:

The amount of Carbon stored in a whalefall is significantly higher than the carbon content of marine snow. Marine snow refers to organic matter that sinks to the ocean floor, while a whalefall is the carcass of a whale that falls to the ocean floor. As a whale carcass decomposes, it provides a rich source of nutrients and carbon for deep-sea organisms.

The decomposition process of a whalefall can take several years, and during this time, it releases carbon into the surrounding environment. Therefore, it would take more than ten thousand years for marine snow to equal the amount of carbon stored in a whalefall.

In conclusion, the correct answer is D. ten thousand years.

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