Understanding Whales and Phytoplankton

The video explores the myth of James Bartley being swallowed by a whale and transitions into the ecological importance of whale poop. It highlights how whale feces contribute to nutrient cycling, supporting phytoplankton, which are crucial for marine food chains and carbon sequestration. The video emphasizes the need for whale conservation to maintain these natural processes, which are vital for oxygen production and climate change mitigation.

What was the reported duration James Bartley spent inside the whale?

• 48 hours

• 36 hours

• 24 hours

• 12 hours

What is the primary role of whale waste in the ocean?

• To provide shelter for fish

• To fertilize phytoplankton

• To increase water temperature

• To attract predators

Which organisms are at the base of the ocean's food chain?

• Sharks

• Phytoplankton

• Dolphins

• Seaweed

How do whales contribute to the ocean's nutrient cycle?

• By creating waves

• By bringing iron to the surface

• By reducing water salinity

• By eating large fish

What could happen if whales are removed from the ocean ecosystem?

• Rise in ocean temperature

• Increase in fish population

• Collapse of marine life

• Decrease in ocean salinity

What percentage of Earth's oxygen is produced by phytoplankton?

• 75%

• 10%

• 50%

• 25%

How much carbon can phytoplankton capture compared to the Amazon's plant life?

• Five times as much

• Four times as much

• Three times as much

• Twice as much

What is one method researchers are using to increase phytoplankton populations?

• Reducing ocean currents

• Adding salt to the ocean

• Sprinkling iron in the ocean

• Increasing ocean temperature

What is a benefit of restoring whale populations?

• Increased ocean salinity

• Enhanced carbon capture

• Higher ocean temperatures

• More frequent storms

How much carbon can a whale's body sequester at the ocean's bottom?

• 10 tons

• 20 tons

• 33 tons

• 50 tons