In 1891, newspapers shared a wild story about James Bartley, a whaler who was supposedly swallowed whole by a whale. According to the tale, Bartley spent up to 36 hours inside the whale before his crew managed to catch the whale and rescue him. While this story sounds like something out of a novel or myth, it’s not entirely unique. Many stories, including those in religious texts, describe people being swallowed by sea creatures.
But let’s get real—if someone were actually swallowed by a whale, they’d likely be crushed. If they somehow survived, they might escape when the whale surfaces for air and releases waste. While swimming in whale waste sounds gross, it turns out that whale feces is incredibly important for the ocean.
To understand why whale waste matters, we need to talk about phytoplankton. These tiny organisms are crucial for ocean life. They thrive on sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients like phosphates, nitrogen, and iron. The ocean’s surface is rich in these resources, allowing phytoplankton to flourish. In fact, a single drop of seawater can contain thousands of them, and their blooms are so large they can be seen from space.
Phytoplankton are the foundation of the ocean’s food chain. They feed microscopic creatures like copepods and krill, which in turn feed larger marine animals. When phytoplankton die, they sink, taking with them the carbon and iron that living phytoplankton need.
This is where whales come in. By diving deep to hunt, whales consume large amounts of phytoplankton predators. For instance, blue whales can eat up to 16 tons of krill daily. When they surface, they release feces rich in iron, which helps bring essential nutrients from the deep back to the surface.
Without whales, this nutrient cycle breaks down. Centuries of commercial whaling have already disrupted this system, which could lead to lifeless surface waters. This would have serious consequences for life on land, too. Phytoplankton produce about half of Earth’s oxygen and help capture large amounts of carbon, which is vital for fighting climate change.
Research shows that phytoplankton capture four times the carbon found in the Amazon rainforest. A 1% increase in their population is like adding 2 billion fully grown trees in terms of carbon capture. While scientists debate how much of this carbon stays in the ocean long-term, efforts are underway to boost phytoplankton populations to enhance carbon sequestration. Some groups are trying to add iron to the ocean, but this isn’t as effective as supporting natural phytoplankton growth.
Whale feces, with its complex nutrient mix developed over millennia, is far superior to artificial supplements. Whale populations are still recovering from industrial whaling. By supporting whaling bans, safer fishing and shipping practices, and reducing pollution, we can help whales rebound and restore the nutrient cycle. Even when whales die naturally, they continue to fight climate change. A whale’s body can sequester up to 33 tons of carbon on the ocean floor, creating an ecosystem that supports life above and below the surface.
Use craft materials to create a 3D model of a phytoplankton bloom. Research different types of phytoplankton and include labels to show their role in the ocean’s food chain. This will help you visualize their importance in the ecosystem.
Participate in a simulation game where you manage a marine ecosystem. Adjust whale populations and observe the effects on phytoplankton levels and carbon capture. This activity will demonstrate the critical role whales play in maintaining ocean health.
Engage in a classroom debate on the pros and cons of whaling bans. Research historical and current whaling practices, and discuss how they impact the ocean’s nutrient cycle and climate change. This will enhance your understanding of conservation efforts.
Conduct a small-scale experiment to explore the effects of iron on plant growth. Use water plants and add varying amounts of iron to see how it affects their growth. Relate your findings to the concept of iron fertilization in the ocean.
Choose a specific whale species and research its role in the ecosystem, threats it faces, and conservation efforts in place. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how protecting whales can benefit the planet.
In 1891, newspapers reported the story of James Bartley, a whaler who was supposedly swallowed whole by a whale. Allegedly, Bartley spent as long as 36 hours in the whale’s belly before his crew caught the whale and rescued him. This tale is not unique; various novels, myths, and religious texts depict figures swallowed at sea, with some even making a home for themselves in the creatures’ mouths.
However, if someone were actually swallowed by a whale, they would likely be crushed. If they somehow survived, they might have a chance to escape during the whale’s bathroom break, as whales frequently surface to take in air and release waste. While swimming in this waste might seem unappealing, whale feces is actually quite important.
To understand why, we need to look at phytoplankton, which are essential organisms in the ocean. These creatures thrive on sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients like phosphates, nitrogen, and iron. The ocean’s surface waters generally have an abundance of these resources, making phytoplankton widespread. A single drop of seawater can contain thousands of these organisms, and phytoplankton blooms can be seen from space.
Phytoplankton serve as food for microscopic grazers, such as copepods and krill, which in turn feed a wide variety of marine life. This makes phytoplankton the base of a food chain that supports countless marine species. When phytoplankton die, their bodies can sink, taking with them the carbon and iron that their living counterparts need.
This is where whales play a crucial role. By hunting at great depths, whales consume large amounts of these phytoplankton predators. For example, blue whales can consume up to 16 tons of krill daily, leading them to regularly surface and release feces rich in iron. Through this process, whales help bring iron from deeper waters back to the surface.
If we remove whales from this equation, as centuries of commercial whaling have done, the natural system begins to break down. Over time, this disruption could lead to surface waters lacking life, which would have significant consequences for land dwellers as well. Phytoplankton produce as much as half of Earth’s oxygen and help sequester large amounts of carbon, which is crucial for addressing climate change.
Research estimates that phytoplankton capture four times the amount of carbon found in the Amazon rainforest. Every 1% increase in phytoplankton population is equivalent to the carbon capture of 2 billion fully grown trees. While there is ongoing debate about how much of this carbon remains in the ocean long-term, researchers are working to boost phytoplankton populations to maximize carbon sequestration. Some groups are attempting this by adding iron to the ocean, but this method is less effective than supporting the ocean’s natural phytoplankton producers.
Whale feces, with its complex nutrient matrix developed over millennia, is far superior to artificial supplements. Currently, whale populations are still recovering from industrial whaling. By promoting whaling moratoriums, safer fishing and shipping practices, and reducing pollution, we can help these species rebound and restore the nutrient cycle. Even when these newly protected whales die naturally, they continue to combat climate change. A whale’s body can sequester up to 33 tons of carbon on the ocean floor, and their remains can create an entire ecosystem, supporting life both above and below the surface.
Whale – A large marine mammal belonging to the order Cetacea, which includes species such as the blue whale and humpback whale, known for their significant role in marine ecosystems. – The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by influencing the population dynamics of their prey.
Phytoplankton – Microscopic marine algae that form the base of the aquatic food web and are primary producers, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. – Phytoplankton blooms can significantly increase the oxygen levels in the ocean, supporting a diverse range of marine life.
Carbon – A chemical element that is a fundamental component of all known life, playing a key role in biological processes such as respiration and photosynthesis. – Carbon is cycled through the environment via the carbon cycle, which includes processes like photosynthesis and respiration.
Nutrients – Substances that provide essential nourishment for growth and the maintenance of life, often cycling through ecosystems to support various organisms. – Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are vital for plant growth and are often added to soils in the form of fertilizers.
Ecosystem – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning as a unit. – The Amazon rainforest is a complex ecosystem that supports a vast array of plant and animal species.
Oxygen – A chemical element essential for respiration in most living organisms and a byproduct of photosynthesis in plants and phytoplankton. – Oxygen levels in the atmosphere are maintained by the photosynthetic activities of plants and phytoplankton.
Climate – The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a region, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation, which influences the distribution of ecosystems and species. – Climate change is affecting the distribution of species and the functioning of ecosystems worldwide.
Pollution – The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, which can negatively impact ecosystems and human health. – Marine pollution, such as plastic waste, poses a significant threat to oceanic ecosystems and marine life.
Food Chain – A hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food, illustrating the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem. – In a marine food chain, phytoplankton are consumed by small fish, which are then preyed upon by larger predators like sharks.
Biodiversity – The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, often used as a measure of the health of biological systems. – High biodiversity in an ecosystem can enhance its resilience to environmental changes and disturbances.
