Buzz
In September, a team of researchers, led by Jørgen Berge from the Arctic University of Norway, discovered surprising activity in the depths of the Arctic Ocean during winter. Despite the absence of sunlight and warmth, plankton, crustaceans, and fish were actively carrying out their daily routines in the studied region.
A recent study by some of these researchers reveals that Arctic marine life uses moonlight to navigate during the long winter months. Published in the journal Current Biology, the study highlights that zooplankton switch from solar to lunar guidance, migrating from the ocean surface to depths of approximately 165 feet in sync with the full Moon.
Expanding on their initial findings, the researchers explored additional marine environments and observed consistent behavior across various conditions—beneath ice layers, in open waters, and more. Instead of adhering to a 24-hour solar cycle, zooplankton adapted to a 24.8-hour lunar cycle, moving vertically through the water column as the Moon ascended above the horizon.
The movement of plankton in the ocean plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle, as plankton absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and transport it to deeper waters when they migrate or are consumed at various depths. When plankton die, a portion of this carbon settles on the ocean floor, where it remains stored for centuries. This newfound understanding of plankton behavior during winter could significantly influence climate modeling.
