Scientists have started using thermometer- wearing narwhals to obtain temperature readings from beneath the winter pack ice in Baffin Bay. The diving mammals fill in a geographical and seasonal gap in the region's climate records, as winter temperatures have not been available from the area before.
The outcome of the temperature reading show that the ocean temperature beneath the pack ice is getting warmer , the data also confirm a warming trend visible based on sumer readings only continued in the three years to 2007.
Using marine mammals in to obtain scientific data is not a new idea and has been done by using for example elephant seals and bearded seals, but this is the first time that narwhals have undertaken such an assignment.
It will be of great benefit to the science community to have access to this type of data and will increase the understanding of climate change and help in the creation of future climate change models.
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Source: Naturenews