Whales Change Climate

[EdEarl]

It does not say how much effect whales have on climate, but the following video explains that some whales feed deep in the ocean, surface and spread poop at the surface that contains Fe and N, which promotes plankton growth. Plankton absorbs CO2; thus, whales affect climate; fish feed on plankton, which means whales increase fish numbers.

 

See: http://vimeo.com/112551821

 

It seems to me that OTEC (Ocean Thermal Electric Conversion) also pulls nutrients from deep in the ocean and promotes plankton growth. Although the economics of generating electricity with OTEC are poor, the added benefits of increased plankton, CO2 sequestration, increased fish population, and fresh water production, etc. might make it viable.

 

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_thermal_energy_conversion

[Ten oz]

As drought continues to impact the agriculture industries in major producing states with coasts like California and Texas anything that might produce water for irrigation seems useful. OTEC seems to have some advantages over desalinization plants as it creates rather than consumes energy. Rather than emphasizing on energy production focusing on low cost fresh water might be a better way to sell it.

[Ophiolite]

Ed, sometimes you are too thoughtful to be a Texan.

[Harold Squared]

You lost me, how do OTEC installations produce fresh water? I mean, I suppose cold abyssal water could be used to condense water vapor from humid warm ocean air, but wouldn't that detract from power generation by reducing the temperature differential?

[EdEarl]

Ed, sometimes you are too thoughtful to be a Texan.

I escaped being a Texas redneck, fortunately.

You lost me, how do OTEC installations produce fresh water? I mean, I suppose cold abyssal water could be used to condense water vapor from humid warm ocean air, but wouldn't that detract from power generation by reducing the temperature differential?

I believe that open cycle OTEC vaporize seawater to generate electricity; as the vapor condenses it makes fresh water. IDK if open or closed cycle OTEC are more efficient.

 

One might add a solar thermal array to boost the high temperature of the OTEC making it more efficient; it is also possible to store heat in a molten salt, to make it run 24x7 efficiently. This addition requires being located near where the electricity is needed.

 

Another possibility is to incorporate a solar hydrogen generator, and ship the H2 to land for use in fuel cells. This kind of system could be located in remote areas with little need for electricity, but it depends on methods being developed to make H2 with price parity to gasoline.

Edited February 1, 2015 by EdEarl

[Harold Squared]

We are wandering a bit far afield of the topic, I am afraid. but in an interesting fashion.

 

Still, returning to whales, not all of them feed in the depths. Baleen whales feed on plankton directly and so compete with smaller fish directly, so the whale effect is more likely theoretical than measurable. There are considerable practical difficulties in even taking an accurate whale census by species unless i am mistaken.

[EdEarl]

There is no doubt that cool waters rising from the depths bring nutrients to the surface and cause plankton blooms. Anything that increases that flow from bottom to top presumably will cause a bloom, and the more the better.