Claim

The Oceans produce more CO2 (carbon dioxide) than any other source.

Facts

This was true prior to the industrial age, when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were much lower. Currently, the oceans actually absorb billions of tons of CO2 each year. The increasing amounts being absorbed are contributing to acidification of the oceans, disturbing the ecological balance.

Opinion

In researching this claim, we found nothing supportive on the web, available research materials, or in the pool of available scientific data. So possibly this originated as a misunderstanding of the fact that the oceans contain more than 50 times the carbon than the atmosphere.

Assessment

False

More Information

Check out ocean-climate.org for more information on how the carbon sink cycle works in our oceans:

Sources