Scientists have unveiled a fascinating aspect of zooplankton, small marine organisms often dismissed as mere aquarium food, that play a significant role in fighting climate change. These "unsung heroes" migrate through the Southern Ocean, taking in carbon-rich filaments of phytoplankton in the spring, subsequently converting their sustenance into fat. When winter arrives, they descend hundreds of meters into the depths of the Antarctic sea, where they burn this stored energy, locking away substantial amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and countering the impacts of global warming. According to the latest research, this process sequesters an astonishing 65 million tonnes of carbon each year, equivalent to the annual emissions produced by 55 million petrol-burning cars.
Research leader Dr. Guang Yang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences acknowledges the remarkable nature of this discovery. "These animals have a unique lifestyle," he highlighted, pushing the scientific community to reconsider the extent of carbon storage activities in the Southern Ocean. Despite their significance, zooplankton generally remain overshadowed by more charismatic Antarctic species like whales and penguins. For instance, copepods, a type of zooplankton, are just a few millimeters long and spend their time drifting between depths of 500 meters to 2 kilometers, often in a state of slumber.
Prof. Daniel J Mayor of the University of Exeter elaborated on the exceptional life cycles of these creatures, noting their fat reserves act as a long-lasting battery. This slow-release mechanism allows carbon to remain locked in the ocean for decades, staving off temperature increases in the atmosphere. The Southern Ocean accounts for about 40% of the world's oceanic CO2 absorption, predominantly due to the activity of zooplankton.
The research team, which included scientists aboard the Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel, gathered data spanning back to the 1920s to validate the contribution of zooplankton to carbon storage. They observed the impact of environmental factors such as climate change, which threatens zooplankton populations through warming waters and excessive harvesting by commercial fishing operations. For example, approximately half a million tonnes of krill were harvested in 2020 alone, stirring debates about the sustainability of these practices amidst alarming environmental shifts.
As the authors urge the integration of these insights into climate prediction models, they underscore the gravity of the zooplankton's role. Without their presence, current atmospheric CO2 levels would potentially be double what they are today, which demonstrates their vital function in maintaining planetary health. The study has been published in the journal Limnology and Oceanography, paving the way for further exploration into the ecological impacts of these tiny organisms on a global scale.
Research leader Dr. Guang Yang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences acknowledges the remarkable nature of this discovery. "These animals have a unique lifestyle," he highlighted, pushing the scientific community to reconsider the extent of carbon storage activities in the Southern Ocean. Despite their significance, zooplankton generally remain overshadowed by more charismatic Antarctic species like whales and penguins. For instance, copepods, a type of zooplankton, are just a few millimeters long and spend their time drifting between depths of 500 meters to 2 kilometers, often in a state of slumber.
Prof. Daniel J Mayor of the University of Exeter elaborated on the exceptional life cycles of these creatures, noting their fat reserves act as a long-lasting battery. This slow-release mechanism allows carbon to remain locked in the ocean for decades, staving off temperature increases in the atmosphere. The Southern Ocean accounts for about 40% of the world's oceanic CO2 absorption, predominantly due to the activity of zooplankton.
The research team, which included scientists aboard the Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel, gathered data spanning back to the 1920s to validate the contribution of zooplankton to carbon storage. They observed the impact of environmental factors such as climate change, which threatens zooplankton populations through warming waters and excessive harvesting by commercial fishing operations. For example, approximately half a million tonnes of krill were harvested in 2020 alone, stirring debates about the sustainability of these practices amidst alarming environmental shifts.
As the authors urge the integration of these insights into climate prediction models, they underscore the gravity of the zooplankton's role. Without their presence, current atmospheric CO2 levels would potentially be double what they are today, which demonstrates their vital function in maintaining planetary health. The study has been published in the journal Limnology and Oceanography, paving the way for further exploration into the ecological impacts of these tiny organisms on a global scale.
