Scientists have been examining increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its effect on the growth of marine viruses, the growth of their bacterial hosts, the ocean's temperatures, and the circulation of ocean waters. Which factor being studied by the scientists is biotic?

Ocean temperature is an abiotic factor that affects marine life but does not involve living organisms. It influences metabolic rates and biological processes in marine ecosystems, yet it remains a physical property of the ocean rather than a living component.

Ocean circulation refers to the movement of water masses in the ocean, driven by various physical forces such as wind and the Earth's rotation. Like ocean temperature, it is an abiotic factor that affects marine ecosystems but does not include living organisms.

Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound present in the atmosphere and ocean, primarily affecting the ocean's chemistry and contributing to processes like ocean acidification. While it plays a crucial role in the environment, it is not a living organism and is considered an abiotic factor.