Next comes the enrichment opportunist stage, which can also last for months or years. As the remaining tissue decomposes, the surrounding sediments and exposed bones become enriched with organic matter. Opportunistic species—such as polychaetes and crustaceans—colonize the area, forming dense communities that can reach up to 4,183 individuals per square foot. This stage marks a transition as the nutrients from the whale seep into the surrounding environment, fueling new life.
The final phase, the sulfophilic stage, can persist for decades. During this time, anaerobic bacteria break down the lipids in the whale’s bones, releasing hydrogen sulfide—a key resource for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. These bacteria, in turn, support a complex ecosystem of chemoautotrophic organisms. This stage boasts extraordinary biodiversity, with an average of 185 macrofaunal species (including a variety of crustaceans, mollusks, and even bone-eating worms) thriving on a single whale skeleton, surpassing the diversity of any other deep-sea hard substrate community.
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