A study carried out by Ocean Science & Technology investigated the capacity of different marine animals to capture and store ‘oceanic blue carbon’—the C CO2 moved, trapped, and retained by the vegetation, marine life, and animals in marine and coastal ecosystems.
According to the research, mesopelagic fish, which are found in the oceans at depths greater than 200 m, demonstrated superior abilities in capturing carbon during their lifespan, with levels equivalent to providing an average year’s worth of energy for 3,419,753 households.
Seals, sharks, turtles, and otters ranked as the second most effective group of animals in terms of carbon capture, trapping amounts big enough to fuel 5,625,000 one-way flights from New York to Paris.
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The lifestyle behaviors of this group of animals, classified in a type of blue carbon referred to by scientists as Trophic Cascade Carbon, help regulate herbivore populations, which in turn allows underwater vegetation to flourish. When it comes to carbon storage, the research showed that this group retains 11,500,000 metric tons of carbon annually.
Sperm whales emerged as the third most efficient type of marine animal, storing up to 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to the size of a forest as large as Taiwan in their lifetime.
Other animals that trail behind in the ranking include dead fish remains, blue whales, and yellowfin tuna, all of which contribute positively to our environment.
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According to Mike Rees, Founder and CTO of Ocean Science & Technology, utilizing marine-based science technology is crucial in finding new and effective strategies to combat climate change.
He believes that with sufficient funding and resources allocated to innovative research, such as blue carbon projects, the possibilities for the future are endless.
Looking ahead, the results of this research not only showcase an innovative approach to addressing the environmental crisis, but they also underline the importance of focusing on the preservation of marine animals to fully leverage their impact in the fight against climate change.
