How a Tiny Creature is Fighting Climate Change by Gorging and Storing Carbon

A small creature, often overlooked, is playing a big role in combating climate change. Zooplankton, tiny marine animals, migrate deep into the Southern Ocean, helping to lock away carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Recent research shows that this migration captures the carbon emissions equivalent to the annual output of about 55 million cars.

As spring arrives, zooplankton eat a lot and gain fat. They then sink deep into the ocean to burn that fat. This important process captures carbon and keeps the Earth’s atmosphere cooler. However, threats are increasing that could harm these tiny heroes.

The Role of Zooplankton

Scientists have studied the migration of Antarctic zooplankton for years. Dr. Guang Yang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences notes that this new understanding challenges earlier assumptions about the Southern Ocean’s ability to store carbon. Co-author Dr. Jennifer Freer from the British Antarctic Survey emphasizes the fascinating lifestyle of these creatures. While we admire larger Antarctic animals, like whales and penguins, it’s easy to forget about the vital role zooplankton play.

Typically, when people think of zooplankton, they may only know it as aquarium fish food. However, these creatures, particularly copepods, are crucial for the ocean ecosystem. They range in size from just 1 to 10 mm and spend most of their time deep down, where it’s dark and cool.

Migration and Carbon Capture

Under a microscope, researchers see that copepods store significant amounts of fat, which they accumulate by feeding on phytoplankton. This fat works like a battery. As they migrate deeper during winter, they burn this stored energy, slowly releasing carbon back into the ocean over time. According to Prof. Daniel Mayor from the University of Exeter, this process helps delay the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can contribute to global warming.

Research indicates that these migrations transport around 65 million tonnes of carbon to depths of at least 500 meters each year. The copepods contribute the most, followed by krill and salps. This is a significant find because it shows how much these small creatures contribute to the global carbon cycle.

Changing Conditions and Future Risks

Despite their importance, zooplankton face various threats. Rising ocean temperatures, habitat disturbance, and intense weather patterns due to climate change pose risks. Additionally, the commercial fishing of krill has surged; in 2020, nearly half a million tons were harvested—a practice many environmental activists oppose.

Prof. Angus Atkinson, who has been involved in this research, insists that understanding the impact of these tiny organisms is essential for future climate models. Without their contributions, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could be nearly double what we see today.

Conclusion

The ongoing research into zooplankton emphasizes their role in maintaining a stable climate. As scientists continue to explore their migration patterns, it’s clear we need to protect these small yet vital creatures to ensure a healthier planet.

For more information on marine ecosystems and climate change, you can check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator and learn about the impact of commercial fishing on marine life from the United Nations report.

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