Whale Falls 

A whale fall is defined as a dead whale or other animal sinking and delivering nutrients to the bottom of the deep ocean (modified from Smith and Baco 2003).  Whale falls, though rarely found, are predicted to occur hundreds of time annually for just gray whales (Smith et al. 1989).  If all the marine mammals (dolphins, seals, whales) and turtles were considered, the result would suggest thousands, if not tens of thousands, of ‘whale falls’ occur annually.  Thus, whale falls may provide a significant source or organic materials to the deep ocean.   

Photo mosaic of a rotting whale carcass found off of the coast of California at the depth of nearly 3000 meters.  Crustaceans and worms consume the remaining flesh, while chemoautotrphic bacteria convert the oily tissues into sulfide.  The "sectioned" are actually cleaned bones.  (from Goffredi et al. 2004)