From Science Magazine.
Marine snow is the dead, discarded, and sloughed off organic matter that floats down to the sea floor like snowflakes. Originating from living organisms at the surface, then dropping down to the depths, it’s an important part of how the ocean captures carbon from the atmosphere. However, by analyzing the sinking patterns of individual marine snowflakes, researchers found that their mucus trails slow their sinking speed, meaning this process captures carbon much slower than previously thought.