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FEATURE ARTICLE: OCEANIC CLIMATE REGULATION
Written by Hannah Peterson
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One of the amazing features of our world’s oceans is helping to regulate climate. This is especially important as climate change is becoming increasingly problematic. The ocean helps control global climate by regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide through absorbing, storing, and releasing it. The ocean is a huge storehouse for carbon, containing 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere. So far, it has taken up 30 percent of human carbon dioxide emissions over the past 200 years and will ultimately absorb much more. A lot of the ocean’s climate regulation occurs in this month’s spotlight habitat, the twilight zone.
The twilight zone helps keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by transferring it from surface waters to the deep ocean. In this process, sometimes referred to as the ocean’s “biological pump,” the twilight zone keeps the carbon dioxide from returning to the air as a greenhouse gas. In surface waters, phytoplankton use the sun’s energy to transform carbon dioxide into the energy that allows them to grow and become food for zooplankton, which are then eaten by other aquatic animals. Shelled organisms will also use carbon dioxide to build their shells. Some of this carbon in the surface waters also becomes a part of marine snow, a sort of “underwater blizzard,” containing a variety of particles with rich organic carbon content that become food for twilight zone creatures. Carbon also finds its way into deeper waters through the migration of twilight zone animals that feed near the surface and then return to the depths. A small percentage of the carbon from the twilight zone also sinks deeper and remains there for hundreds to thousands of years. Without this oceanic process, climate change would be a much larger issue with more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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SPOTLIGHT HABITAT: THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Written by Kiyas Kousoulas
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The twilight zone is the second layer of the world's oceans and is home to some very unique creatures. The twilight zone is also known as the mesopelagic zone, and it is found between the depths of 200 - 1000 meters (650 - 3,300 feet). The kinds of organisms that live in this zone range greatly in size and species, but they are all well adapted to live in the intense conditions of their habitat.
The twilight zone is very cold and dark, as it is beyond the distance that sunlight can reach. This zone is also very high in pressure meaning that organisms in this zone have to have special traits to survive. Some of these traits include things like squishy bodies, big eyes, and we even see a lot of creatures with bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is when organisms can produce and give off their own light, such as fireflies. There are many microorganisms, fish, and jellies in the twilight zone that have this special trait. These creatures use their bioluminescence for survival, some use it to camouflage, some use it to scare off predators, and some use it to attract prey.
The interesting creatures that call the twilight zone home are also super important to the health of our planet. Not only do the animals that live in this zone supply food for people around the world, they also help regulate the carbon cycle. As the organisms in the twilight zone eat, swim, live, and die they cycle carbon through the ocean. This process helps keep our atmosphere clean because it allows carbon to be exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean's surface. The twilight zone is home to many intriguing creatures and all of them play a special role in protecting and preserving our planet.
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SPOTLIGHT SPECIES: SNIPE EEL
Written by Hannah Peterson
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February’s spotlight species is the snipe eel, a creature that lives in the ocean’s twilight zone. There are actually nine different species of snipe eel. Snipe eels have also been called other names such as thread fish, deep sea duck, slender snipe eel, boxer snipe eel, southern snipe eel, Avocet snipe eel, and Yano’s snipe eel. Snipe eels can grow up to about five feet long. Because of the nature of the twilight zone where fish prey on each other, many creatures have stripped away all body parts deemed unnecessary. The snipe eel has taken this to the extreme. While snipe eels are very thin, they have a solid backbone and large eyes that help them to see predators. Their coloring also helps them to blend in and hide from their predators, primarily rockfish. Snipe eels also have jaws that are permanently open so that they eat on autopilot as they swim. Their primary prey is small crustaceans such as shrimp. The snipe eel is a very intriguing creature that we don’t see a lot of, but they are quite interesting.
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Interview with Dr. Marino
This month we will be interviewing Dr. Lori Marino, neuroscientist and expert in animal behavior and intelligence. She is well known for her work studying dolphin and whale intelligence, and is an expert on mammal marine captivity issues. Dr. Marino has also authored a number of works and appeared in few films and TV programs.
We look forward to interviewing her and learning more about her work! Stay tuned to hear more about what we discuss in the interview.
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World Wetlands Day
On February 2nd, we celebrate World Wetlands Day. More information about the importance of protecting the world's wetlands, as well as related virtual and global events can be found on their website.
National Skip the Straw Day
On February 25th, say no to straws. This holiday is meant to raise awareness of plastic pollution and making sustainable choices. Learn more here.
International Polar Bear Day
February 27th is International Polar Bear Day! Take some time to appreciate our arctic friends, and check out the event website to learn more.
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OPPORTUNITIES AT AEON FOR OCEAN
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Are you interested in joining our team and helping to contribute to ocean conservation? We are currently looking to fill the following positions:
- Comic Illustrator
- Social Media Associate
- Graphic Designer
- Director of Technology
- Director of Human Resources
- Director of Operations
More information can be found on our Volunteer Opportunities page.
Interested applicants can apply directly on our website using the link above.
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KRILL2WHALE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
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What is Krill2Whale?
Krill2Whale (K2W) is a program focused on educating kids about marine life and oceans so they can then share that information with other children in both casual and formal presentation settings. The goal is to spread awareness on the importance of the marine ecosystem and to increase involvement in activities to save our oceans.
How does K2W benefit kids?
Not only will new K2W Ambassadors join a group of inspiring kids, make new friends, and learn about marine life, but they will also learn valuable life skills like public speaking, leadership, and planning. The K2W Ambassadors will be given the opportunity to present a 30-45 minute interactive presentation at schools and libraries and help organize events for their communities.
How can my child join?
Head to aeonforocean.org/krill2whale for more information. If you'd like to join, click “Join me” in the “Become a K2W Ambassador” section and complete the form. If you have further questions about the program, please send an email to info@aeonforocean.org.
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