The ocean is Earth’s most significant carbon sink, quietly transporting vast amounts of carbon from the surface to the deep sea. Yet, a big part of the ocean’s carbon calculus still remains a mystery: How much carbon do sinking bits of organic material lock away in the deep sea?

MBARI scientists and engineers have developed SINKER, the SINKing Ecology Robot, an innovative deep-sea instrument that observes how carbon-rich particles, known as marine snow, sink through the ocean in real time. Equipped with advanced cameras and sensors, SINKER captures continuous images of these tiny, drifting particles, helping researchers understand what, when, and how much carbon is sinking to the seafloor.

Led by Scientist Colleen Durkin and the Carbon Flux Ecology Team, this project is helping reveal the hidden connections between marine life and Earth’s carbon cycle. Learn more: https://www.mbari.org/news/new-mbari-...

Collaboration is at the core of MBARI’s work. Learn how our scientists, engineers, and machinists work side by side to develop cutting-edge tools by watching the SINKERS playlist:    • SINKER: Innovative imaging tech to study c...  

Video credits:
Producer/editor: Marike Pinsonneault
Science advisors: Colleen Durkin, Christine Huffard
Production team: Larissa Lemon, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun
Music: Science Technology Research - Calming Ambient Documentary Background by Mv_production