The importance of Antarctic krill in biogeochemical cycles

Abstract Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ) are swarming, oceanic crustaceans, up to two inches long, and best known as prey for whales and penguins – but they have another important role. With their large size, high biomass and daily vertical migrations they transport and transform essential nut...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature Communications
Main Authors: Cavan, E. L., Belcher, A., Atkinson, A., Hill, S. L., Kawaguchi, S., McCormack, S., Meyer, B., Nicol, S., Ratnarajah, L., Schmidt, K., Steinberg, D. K., Tarling, G. A., Boyd, P. W.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2019
Subjects:
General Physics and Astronomy
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Chemistry
Antarctic
Southern Ocean
Antarc*
Antarctic Krill
Euphausia superba
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12668-7
http://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12668-7.pdf
http://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12668-7
Description
Summary:Abstract Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ) are swarming, oceanic crustaceans, up to two inches long, and best known as prey for whales and penguins – but they have another important role. With their large size, high biomass and daily vertical migrations they transport and transform essential nutrients, stimulate primary productivity and influence the carbon sink. Antarctic krill are also fished by the Southern Ocean’s largest fishery. Yet how krill fishing impacts nutrient fertilisation and the carbon sink in the Southern Ocean is poorly understood. Our synthesis shows fishery management should consider the influential biogeochemical role of both adult and larval Antarctic krill.

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