Whales Expel Ocean Nutrients Through Their Urine And Feces

Geo Beats 2014-07-23

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According to a recent study, whale feces and urine circulate nutrients in the ocean that help produce greater fish populations, and stabilize the ecosystem. Joe Roman, one of the authors of the study, is quoted as saying: “Whales feed in highly productive and high latitude areas and then they migrate to low productivity, low latitude areas…So they’re bringing tons of nutrients into those systems.”

According to a recent study, whale feces and urine circulate nutrients in the ocean that help produce greater fish populations, and stabilize the ecosystem.

Joe Roman, one of the authors of the study is quoted as saying: “Whales feed in highly productive and high latitude areas and then they migrate to low productivity, low latitude areas…So they’re bringing tons of nutrients into those systems.”

Whales eat fish, plankton, krill, and squid from deep in the ocean and then go to the surface waters to relieve themselves.

This distributes nutrients like iron and nitrogen, creating more algae for other sea animals to feed on.

So it's a good thing that whaling has become less of a problem in recent years.

There is a commercial ban on killing whales, and fisherman are realizing the animals actually play a role in growing fish populations rather than competing with them.

Whales also contribute to the ecosystem of the ocean as a form of carbon storage.

After they die, whales become a source of food, and a home for many species.

There are reportedly around 60 different species of marine life that can only survive on the body of a dead whale

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