We are going to help the Ocean and the World by Learning and Mimicking what Whales do Naturally
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Locking away carbon in the deep sea is essential to restoring the environment. Ocean life helps by transporting carbon captured from the atmosphere to the deep sea; this process is known as the biological carbon pump (BCP).
Ways whales and their food chain boost the BCP:
1) When whales die from natural causes, they sink, transporting the carbon stored in their bodies to the deep sea. Before industrial whaling, Southern Ocean whale populations are estimated to have sequestered approximately 400,000 metric tons of carbon per year through this process.
2) Whale urine and feces can fertilize phytoplankton. Some of this phytoplankton later dies, sinks, and carries carbon to the deep ocean.
3) Much of the phytoplankton that does not sink becomes food for zooplankton grazers such as krill. Krill help sequester large amounts of carbon through their sinking molts and fecal pellets.
Through these pathways, whales act as ecosystem engineers and powerful allies in the fight against environmental contamination. In short, more whales mean healthier oceans.
Sadly, during the industrial era, more than 85% of whales were slaughtered for human development, disrupting the whale pump and directly reducing the effectiveness of the Biological Carbon Pump. We are going to Restore It!
Our first research and development (R&D) initiative will transform food and human waste generated on ships into materials that biomimic whale feces and urine. By emulating the nutrient-rich properties of whale excretions, these biomimetic materials aim to stimulate phytoplankton growth in marine environments, enhancing carbon capture and supporting marine ecosystems. The project will develop processing methods and associated tools, with applications in commercial and naval shipping, to generate positive environmental impact and contribute to ocean health.
Our research will advance understanding of the whale pump and identify safe and responsible ways to revitalize it in order to drive primary productivity, such as increased krill stocks. If successful, we expect to realize benefits including more fish for a growing human population, reduced ocean acidification, and greater diversity of life in the sea.