Fig. 4: Nitrogen and other elements can be transported via urea, carcasses, and skin.
From: Migrating baleen whales transport high-latitude nutrients to tropical and subtropical ecosystems
Humpback mother (top) from camera on a calf in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (A). The mother’s urine can be seen on the right. Mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus) haves been observed feeding on sloughed skin and appear to be attracted to leaked milk. (Courtesy of Marine Mammal Research Program, University of Hawaii. NMFS Permit Number 21476). Tiger shark with a carcass of a humpback whale calf off Ningaloo Reef, Australia (B). The carcasses of neonates and adults provide nutrients to lower-latitude nutrient-limited systems. (Courtesy of J. Leask).
