Whales Transport 4,000 Tons of Nitrogen Annually

Whales play a crucial role in the nutrient cycle of the ocean, transporting thousands of tons of essential nutrients, including nitrogen, through their urine, feces, and other biological materials. A University of Vermont-led study published in Nature Communications highlights how these nutrients, primarily transported through whale migrations, enhance the productivity of low-nutrient tropical and subtropical coastal areas, supporting marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. Whales feed in nutrient-rich, high-latitude areas and migrate to warmer, nutrient-poor regions to breed, where they release vast amounts of nitrogen, benefiting phytoplankton growth and providing food for various marine species. The study estimates that whales transport about 4,000 tons of nitrogen and over 45,000 tons of biomass annually across oceans. This nutrient movement is vital for maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems and was likely even greater before the decline in whale populations due to historical whaling activities. The research underscores the importance of whale conservation for ocean health and productivity.