Whales don’t just dominate the seas with their size—they also play a vital role in maintaining ocean ecosystems. Their feces help move nutrients from deep waters to the surface, but new research reveals that their urine plays an even more extensive role by transporting massive amounts of nitrogen across entire ocean basins.
The ‘Great Whale Pee Funnel’
A study led by the University of Vermont found that whales carry around 4,000 tonnes of nitrogen annually from nutrient-rich cold waters to tropical coastal regions. Their urine, along with sloughed skin, dead bodies, and placenta, enriches coral reef ecosystems. This process supports plankton growth and food chains for marine life.
In places like Hawaii, where humpback whales migrate to breed, these nutrient inputs exceed local sources. Scientists describe this phenomenon as the “great whale conveyor belt” or the “whale pee funnel”—a process concentrating widely spread nutrients into smaller coastal areas.
Whales as Global Nutrient Movers
Whales undertake some of the longest migrations on Earth. Humpbacks travel over 8,000 km from Antarctic feeding grounds to mating sites off Costa Rica, while gray whales cover more than 11,000 km between Russia and Baja California. During these journeys, they release vast amounts of nitrogen-rich urine. For instance, fin whales produce nearly 1,000 liters of urine daily, compared to just two liters from humans.
Because of their sheer size, whales redistribute nutrients on a planetary scale. “Animals form the circulatory system of the planet, and whales are the extreme example,” says study co-author Joe Roman.
Conservation Needed to Restore Ecosystem Balance
Before industrial whaling, the nutrient transport effect was even greater. With populations of species like the blue whale still recovering, scientists stress the importance of stronger conservation efforts. Protecting and restoring whale populations could significantly enhance marine ecosystems worldwide.