Story perspectives
Seabirds Boost Ocean Life with Midair Fertilization
8/21/2025
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Story summary
- Researchers observed streaked shearwaters in Japan excreting midair every 4 to 10 minutes, fertilizing the ocean.
- Their droppings, high in nitrogen and phosphorus, enhance marine life, akin to the "whale pump" effect.
- The study emphasizes the influence of seabird behavior on nutrient cycles and potential disease transmission in marine ecosystems.
