“One big difference is that whales are often traveling thousands of miles across ocean basins–great whales undertake the longest migration of any mammal,” says Roman. “So they connect areas close to the poles to tropical areas that are often nutrient-limited.”

Whales transport vital nutrients from urine, placentas, carcasses and sloughing skin across oceans that help to keep marine ecosystems healthy, a study has revealed. Researchers found that these life-supporting nutrients are generated in the animals’ summer feeding habitats and then carried long distances as they travel to winter breeding grounds.

A study led by researchers at the University of Vermont describes how whales can transport essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus thousands of miles away from rich feeding grounds in cold waters to warmer,