
Science News
Guided By Whales
There has been over 25 years of research into the essential nutrients found in whale nutrient plumes or “poo”. Fewer experiments have been done on nourishing the ocean with a similar mixture of macro and micro nutrients.
The WhaleX Foundation is funding research into phytoplankton growth stimulated by simulated whale nutrient plumes. We are collaborating with scientists around the world.
If you are currently researching in this field or have suggestions for how you could help with our measurement and verification experiments, we would love to hear from you.
Recommended Papers:
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Harrison, DP (2013) "A method for estimating the cost to sequester carbon dioxide by delivering iron to the ocean". International Journal of Global Warming, vol. 5, pp. 231-254.
Harrison, DP (2017). Global negative emissions capacity of ocean macronutrient fertilisation. Environmental Research Letters, Volume 12, Number 3, Negative Emission Scenarios and Technologies.
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (2008). Information document IOC/inf-1247. Report on the IMO London Convention Scientific Group meeting on ocean fertilization, June 2008
Jones, ISF (2004). The enhancement of marine productivity for climate stabilisation and food security. Chapter in Handbook of Microalgal Culture, ed A. Richmond, Blackwell, Oxford.
Jones ISF and Young HE (1997). Engineering a large sustainable world fishery. Journal of Environmental Conservation, vol. 24, p.99-104
Smetacek, V. (2021) A whale of an appetite revealed by analysis of prey consumption. Nature 599, 33–34.
Roman, J. and McCarthy, J. (2010) The Whale Pump: Marine Mammals Enhance Primary Productivity in a Coastal Basin. PLOS ONE,
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Murray, BC, et al (2010). Payments for blue carbon - Potential for protecting threatened coastal habitats. Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University.
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