Most people politely pass on the topic of poo, but a team of scientists is setting sail for the Antarctic to study the effects of blue whale faeces on biodiversity and climate change.
A team of 28 international scientists on Saturday will head south from Hobart for a seven-week study of the daily lives of Antarctic blue whales and Antarctic krill, in what is described as the "the most detailed whale poo expedition ever".
"We want to find out if the shape of krill swarms affect the distribution and behaviour of blue whales, and if the blue whales themselves fertilise the ocean with their poo which grows more algae for krill to eat," said chief scientist Mike Double.
The faeces, which is mainly composed of digested krill, initially floats on the surface before dissipating and then sinking to the floor of the ocean.
On previous missions, researchers have had to collect samples by hand, but for the first time, drones will be used to do the dirty work.
Blue whale numbers plunged by 95% in the early 20th century, but they have stabilised and partially recovered since the introduction of a global ban on catches in 1966.
There are now thought to be between 10,000 and 35,000, mostly in the Antarctic.
The giant creatures can grow to more than 30 metres in length and weigh 200 tonnes - more than even the largest dinosaurs.
But this new research will consider how they - and their poo - contribute to nutrition levels in Antarctic waters.
Deputy chief scientist Elanor Bell said they will test the theory that whales fertilise the ocean with iron, after eating iron-rich krill and excreting the metal in their faeces.
Iron is important for the growth of microscopic algae known as phytoplankton, which are the foundation of the marine food web around Antarctica.
SOURCE AAP
