Do aquatic animals pee?

The answer is definitely yes, aquatic animals definitely pee . Urine from marine life forms an important part of the nutrient cycle in our oceans.

Many people may never think about how much urine is in the ocean from millions of marine creatures, from tiny fish to giant whales. While it may be an uncomfortable question, studies show that marine urine plays an important role, forming an essential part of the ocean's nutrient cycle.

Every living thing has to excrete waste.

Excretion is a natural process that helps remove waste from the body and keeps the body's systems functioning properly. From single-celled organisms to large marine animals, every living thing has its own way of excreting waste. However, when it comes to aquatic animals, knowing when they pee and where they pee from becomes much more difficult due to the watery environment surrounding them.

 From single-celled organisms to large marine animals, all living things excrete waste.

Given the benefits of urine to the ecosystem, scientists have extensively studied its role. Marine organisms not only release essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, but also provide minerals and amino acids necessary for the growth of other organisms in the ocean. Their urine, from tiny drops of ammonia from fish to hundreds of liters from whales, contributes significantly to the marine food web .

Whales and their role in nutrient transport

To illustrate the impact of urine on the ocean, consider one of the largest animals on the planet: the blue whale. This whale can weigh up to 200 tons and can produce between 200 and 300 gallons of urine per day. Remarkably, whales typically feed at great depths where their food, such as krill, lives. However, when they digest and urinate, whales do this closer to the surface, inadvertently creating a ' nutrient belt' for shallower areas of the ocean.

Additionally, as whales migrate across the world's oceans, their vast amounts of urine also act as a natural fertilizer. Phytoplankton  , the foundation of most ocean life, thrive on nitrogen and phosphorus from whale urine. These tiny creatures are a food source for many larger fish and marine animals. In this way, whale urine contributes to the maintenance of marine biological cycles , keeping the ocean ecosystem growing and functioning.

The "contributions" of small fish

 When digesting and urinating, whales do this closer to the surface.

Not only whales, but even small fish have a significant impact on marine ecosystems. On coral reefs, where the most diverse ecosystems in the ocean exist, every drop of fish urine can make a difference. Nutrients from fish urine are quickly absorbed by corals and other living organisms , helping coral reefs thrive. Corals especially need nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals from fish urine to stay alive and continue to grow.

Interestingly, not all fish have the same excretion process. Saltwater fish, such as those in the ocean, do not urinate frequently because it is easier to maintain the stability of ions in their bodies. They mainly excrete ammonia through their gills – a method that allows them to eliminate toxins without losing much water, due to the excess salt in the environment. In contrast, freshwater fish urinate more frequently due to the difference in osmotic pressure between the freshwater environment and their bodies. This allows freshwater fish to not only excrete ammonia through their gills but also eliminate excess water through their urinary openings, which is a huge benefit to freshwater ecosystems.

Ocean: "toilet" of marine life and consequences from humans

The fact is that the urine of marine creatures is a natural and necessary part of the ocean ecosystem. However, pollution from human activities has turned the ocean into a giant waste dump. Human waste is very different from the natural waste of marine animals, because it contains chemical components and bacteria that can be harmful to the environment. In addition, other pollutants such as plastics, heavy metals and toxic chemicals change the structure of the marine ecosystem, causing damage to marine life and the entire food chain.

Issues such as climate change, overfishing and pollution are also decimating marine life. An estimated 50% of marine populations have been lost in the past four decades alone. As marine animals decline, less urine is released into the ocean, which affects the growth of phytoplankton and corals. If this loss continues, coral reefs – home to countless marine species – will face extinction, reducing their ability to regenerate and recover from environmental disasters.

 Marine urine is a natural and necessary part of the ocean ecosystem.

A warning for the future

Marine urine, a seemingly insignificant element, plays a huge role in maintaining the ecological balance of the ocean. However, human actions as a ' global toilet' for the ocean have eroded this natural structure, contributing to the endangered marine ecosystem. To protect the life in the ocean, we need to think more seriously about how we use and protect the ocean. Simple actions such as reducing plastic pollution, preventing the dumping of toxic waste and controlling fishing activities can help restore some balance to the marine ecosystem.

Maybe next time you look down at the deep blue sea, think about the biological cycles and the significant contributions of each drop of marine animal urine – a small detail but a huge significance in the ocean ecosystem. In a world where humans are impacting the environment on an unprecedented scale, being aware of the role of each natural element will help us to appreciate and protect our common home – the blue planet.