Nitrogen Transport by Oceanic Cetaceans in the Gulf of Mexico

Synopsis of Work

Oceanic cetaceans routinely dive to deep (greater than 200m) depths in search of food and then return to the surface to breathe. Due to physiological conditions, the excretion of nutrients generally occurs in shallow waters during surface intervals. This action actively transports Nitrogen from the deep ocean towards the surface, increasing primary productivity in the near surface waters.

Publications

• Woodstock, M.S., J.J Kiszka, M.R. Ramírez-León, T.T. Sutton, K. Fennel, B. Wang, Y. Zhang. (in review.). Cetacean-mediated nitrogen transport in the oceanic Gulf of Mexico.

The assemblage-scale results of the carbon export of mesopelagic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico. Image of Diaphus mollis by Danté Fenolio|DEEPEND

Collaborators

Dalhousie University Marine Environmental Modelling Group
Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf of Mexico
Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education (CICESE) Florida International University Fisheries and Ecosystem Assessment Lab
Florida International Unviersity Marine Conservation Ecology Lab