Fish spawning frenzies may be key to delivering oxygen to the depths of the ocean, researchers find

Imagine a blind date that not only sparks romance, but also whips up an underwater storm! That's what researchers discovered when studying how different ocean layers mix. But before we dive into their fishy findings, let's understand why ocean mixing matters.

Believe it or not, half the Earth's oxygen comes from ocean plants and algae, which need sunlight to thrive. Yet, they mainly live near the surface. So how does oxygen reach deeper creatures?

Tides and winds help stir the ocean, but scientists found this process insufficient for the observed mixing levels. This led them to investigate some strange nighttime turbulence that was reported off the Spanish coast. The disturbance in the water was akin to a storm taking place, despite calm weather above.

Imagine their surprise when, in their attempt to capture microscopic algae, they found thousands of tiny anchovy eggs! These fish, popular for bait and food, were gathering in immense numbers to spawn, creating powerful turbulence.

Through observation, researchers revealed how the anchovies' movements caused significant temperature fluctuations, especially at night. This, they believe, contributes significantly to mixing different ocean layers.

The idea of marine creatures influencing ocean mixing existed, but lacked strong evidence. This study, published in Nature Science, provides crucial support for this theory.