The oceans absorb carbon through three processes that draw atmospheric carbon dioxide into the oceans: the physical carbon pump, the biological carbon pump and the carbonate pump. molecules of co2 enter the ocean by diffusing into the sea surface waters and dissolving as part of the physical carbon pump. all but one variable influences how much co2 will diffuse in any given location. that is a) wind. b) salinity. c) water temperature. d) geographic location.