Sperm whale faeces 'offset CO2 emissions'

[Judi Lynn]

Source: BBC

Sperm whale faeces 'offset CO2 emissions'
Page last updated at 21:33 GMT, Tuesday, 15 June 2010 22:33 UK
By Richard Black
BBC News

Sperm whale faeces may help oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the air, scientists say.

Australian researchers calculate that Southern Ocean sperm whales release about 50 tonnes of iron every year.

This stimulates the growth of tiny marine plants - phytoplankton - which absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

The process results in the absorption of about 40,000 tonnes of carbon - more than twice as much as the whales release by breathing, the study says.

The researchers note in the Royal Society journal Proceedings B that the process also provides more food for the whales, estimated to number about 12,000.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10323987.stm

[aquart]

1. Another reason to keep them alive. Can we?

[mattvermont]

2. The problem with

these studies are that they illustrate over and again that all natural systems, in some way, contribute more than they take. We are not a natural system in that regard.
Using such discoveries as a model for Carbon Offset is a twisted use of this data. Should we patent natural carbon traps?

[marmar]

3. That must be some powerful sh*t......

:P