Sun as energy

From: Phil Clapham (pclapham@whsun1.wh.whoi.edu)
Date: Sun Sep 08 2002 - 13:36:50 EDT

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    Hi:

    You asked how whales use the sun as energy. Well, they don't really.
    They of course are warmed by the sun, and the ater in which they live is
    also. The marine ecosystem that whales rely on has at its base countless
    gabillions of microscopic plants called phytoplankton. These DO use
    sunlight, just the way plants on land do, to photosynthesize and produce
    energy. And the whole food chain in the ocean is ultimately built upon
    these plants. Tiny animals (the zooplankton) graze on the plants, and
    other things eat the zooplankton (fish - which can feed whales - or
    sometimes whales themselves). 

    -- 
Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D.
Large Whale Biology Program
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543

    Tel (508) 495-2316
Fax (508) 495-2066

    >
> to whom it may concern,
>
> I am looking for an information about whales. My question is how do the
>  whales use sun as energy? If you can send me the answer right away ý
> will be  really pleased.
>
> Thank you
> celine
>
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