Metabolic rates in heterotrophic bacteria are more sensitive to temperature than rates of
primary production (eg, López-Urrutia et al., 2006; Regaudie-de-Gioux and Duarte, 2012).
Consequently, faster bacterial respiration rates in a warmer ocean may result in more
efficient remineralization of sinking organic matter higher in the water column, with
implications for carbon and nutrient cycling during warm climate states. This is supported by
a series of reconstructed δ 13 C DIC: depth profiles based on well-preserved planktonic …