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A whale provides organic material that only reaches the bottom through marine mammals. Phosphorus from the bones and carbon are delivered to the deep ocean by whale falls. The decay of lipids produces sulfide, a compound that provides energy for many invertebrates and bacteria, and methane (Smith et al. 1989). Smith et al. (1989) show that elevated methane and sulfur levels around the whale falls create an environment analogous to hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps. |
| The longevity of the delivery of whale falls has been debated since the discovery of whale fall (Smith and Baco 2003). However, all authors agree that whale fall nutrients do not last more than a thousand years. Schuller et al. (2004) tested the sustainability of different whale falls by use of 210Pb/226Ra dating and lipid degradation. To obtain 210Pb/226Ra ratios, samples were taken directly from the bones of the whales on the ocean floor and calibrated with beached whales were the authors knew the exact time of death. Schuller et al.’s (2004) study suggests that whale fall can supply nutrients for 6 to nearly 100 years. The actual sustainability of the communites may last much longer because, even though most of the nutrients provided by the whale are used up, bacteria and other nutrients absorbed in the sediment may be used for decades to come (Schuller et al. 2004). |
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| Age range (in yeas) of whale falls | Schuller et al.’s (2004) estimates of different whale fall ages (diamonds labeled unknown). The black dots were calibrated from modern beached whales. The tight correlation indicates that Schuller et al.’s (2004) estimates are appropriate. |