09/07/2026
🐋LEARNING WITH LEA:
Every second breath you take comes from the ocean, and whales help make it possible 💨
The whale pump is one of nature's most remarkable nutrient transport systems. Whales feed at depth and return to the surface to breathe. Near the surface, they release nutrient-rich f***s containing iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
These nutrients fertilize phytoplankton, microscopic marine organisms that absorb about one-third of the carbon dioxide captured by Earth each year and produce roughly half of the oxygen in our atmosphere.
By recycling nutrients through the ocean, whales help support productive marine ecosystems and the phytoplankton that sustain life on Earth.
Healthy whale populations contribute to a healthier ocean, and a healthier planet. 🌍
University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute
