Today we learned about the different layers of the ocean. I found this interesting firstly because it just begins to show the gargantuan size of the ocean; the uppermost layer spanning 2,000 m (6, 561 ft). While Mr. Kirby explained this to us, I was thinking about the organisms that inhabited/hunted in these areas, specifically the whales. I know for a fact that Sperm Whales, almost infamously, hunt Giant Squids (or possibly the Colossal Squid, http://squid.tepapa.govt.nz/). I immediately thought of their methods of hunting with little to no light (more towards the latter), echolocation which is unusually powerful in Sperm Whales. At that point there is significant pressure, which is my proposed function of the spermaceti organ and the “junk” located in the whale’s head. I have no means to test this and I’m sure it’s been addressed however I’ve never read anything on it and it’s an interesting thought.
We also talked a lot about plankton which again I found interesting because of again the relation to cetaceans. Seeing as krill feed on plankton, whales are attracted to plankton upwellings. It’s a little known fact that Lunge Feeding is one of the largest biomechanical event on Earth (Potvin and Goldbogen). Also, the gathering of plankton brings about a huge ‘crowd’ of other animals which is truly a spectacular event (something I’ve only witnessed watching nature programs unfortunately enough). Anyways sometimes it’s easy to overlook the importance of the smaller organisms but it’s when you re-learn it that you are reminded just how much of a significant role plankton play in the marine eco-system.
