Elephant Seals are now being used to get valuable data on the ice formation, ocean current and climate change. These seals fitted with special oceanographic sensors under the Arctic ice are providing scientists with data that allow them to calculate how fast sea ice forms during winter. These data are important as sea ice reflects sunlight back into space, so less sea ice means more energy is absorbed by the earth causing more warming. Whereas conventional oceanographic monitoring from ships, satellites cannot provide observations under sea ice, these elephant seals have made it possible for scientists to observe large areas of the ocean under the sea ice in winter for the first time, according to a recent article published.
Sea ice not only affects the amount of energy reflected back into space, but also the amount of dense water around the Antarctic which drives ocean currents that transports heat around the globe. The polar regions of the world play an important role in the earth’s climate and are changing more rapidly than any other part, with the Southern Ocean warning more rapidly than the global ocean average. The elephant seals measure temperature and salinity as a function of depth as they dive down and up through the water column. They have provided scientists with a 30 fold increase in data recorded in parts of the Southern Ocean.
It seems that the global warming is the problem with our nature, we may find some solutions from within the nature. The use of elephant seals for global warming research, the replacement of various more methane generating cattle by the Kangaroos etc. should be the glaring examples in this regard.
Some Facts About the Elephant Seals:
There are two species of elephant seals, the northern and southern. Northern elephant seals can be found in California, though they prefer to frequent offshore islands rather than the North American mainland. Southern elephant seals live in sub-Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions.
Southern elephants are the largest of all seals. Males can be over 20 feet (6 meters) long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kilograms). But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. They take their name from their trunk like inflatable snouts.
Elephant seals were aggressively hunted for their oil, and their numbers were once reduced to the brink of extinction. Fortunately, populations have rebounded under legal protections.
Sea ice not only affects the amount of energy reflected back into space, but also the amount of dense water around the Antarctic which drives ocean currents that transports heat around the globe. The polar regions of the world play an important role in the earth’s climate and are changing more rapidly than any other part, with the Southern Ocean warning more rapidly than the global ocean average. The elephant seals measure temperature and salinity as a function of depth as they dive down and up through the water column. They have provided scientists with a 30 fold increase in data recorded in parts of the Southern Ocean.
It seems that the global warming is the problem with our nature, we may find some solutions from within the nature. The use of elephant seals for global warming research, the replacement of various more methane generating cattle by the Kangaroos etc. should be the glaring examples in this regard.
Some Facts About the Elephant Seals:
There are two species of elephant seals, the northern and southern. Northern elephant seals can be found in California, though they prefer to frequent offshore islands rather than the North American mainland. Southern elephant seals live in sub-Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions.
Southern elephants are the largest of all seals. Males can be over 20 feet (6 meters) long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kilograms). But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. They take their name from their trunk like inflatable snouts.
Elephant seals were aggressively hunted for their oil, and their numbers were once reduced to the brink of extinction. Fortunately, populations have rebounded under legal protections.
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Hei fren i love ur site .Damn nice .I love environment too.
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