Tiny ocean drifters are shaping Earth’s climate. Microzooplankton, some no larger than a grain of sand, are crucial players in the biological carbon pump — the system that moves carbon from the atmosphere into the deep sea for long-term storage. In this episode, PhD candidate Erin Jones explains how these single-celled organisms regulate climate, why their diversity matters, and what NASA’s EXORTS program is uncovering using satellites and DNA sequencing. From the invisible communities floating in seawater to the global carbon cycle, we explore how the ocean’s smallest creatures are connected to the planet’s biggest challenges. Discover why unlocking their secrets could reshape climate predictions — and why the future of carbon sequestration depends on them.

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Episode Guest: Erin Jones

Connect with Erin on LinkedIn

Learn more about the NASA EXPORTS Program

Episode Transcript  and more information on the Pine Forest Media website

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Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese 

Cover art by Jomiro Eming

Theme music by Nela Ruiz

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