Researchers at Dalhousie University in Canada have made a groundbreaking discovery by measuring the global biomass of phytoplankton, tiny marine plants that play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. Using a network of 903 robotic floats, the team found that the biomass totals around 314 teragrams, or 346 million tons, roughly equivalent to the weight of 250 million elephants. This is a significant underestimation of the biomass, as previously it was thought to be much smaller.
Phytoplankton are essential for the health of the oceans and the planet, contributing to the carbon cycle and supporting oceanic food webs. They also produce half of the world’s oxygen. The researchers used robotic floats to collect data from various ocean depths, revealing that nearly half of the planet’s phytoplankton biomass resides at depths beyond the reach of satellites.
This discovery has important implications for understanding the Earth’s carbon cycles and climate change monitoring. By incorporating the data gathered from the robotic floats alongside satellite observations, scientists can build more accurate climate models and track carbon sequestration more effectively. The ability to monitor phytoplankton at deeper ocean levels is vital for improving climate change monitoring and developing more effective strategies to address global warming.
The use of robotic floats in oceanographic research marks a significant leap forward, offering insights into the health of the oceans and the impact of climate change on marine environments. Understanding the full scope of oceanic life is essential for crafting informed conservation policies and addressing the challenges facing our planet’s ecosystems.