Scientists have discovered what source of carbon is used by aquatic plants for photosynthesis; it is dissolved calcium carbonate. It was previously thought that calcium carbonate, which is responsible for balancing seawater acidity, comes from microscopic planktons. In a study, conducted jointly by the scientists of UK, US and Canada, it was found that 3-15 percent of marine calcium carbonate is excreted by fish alone. It is the bony fish that are responsible for calcium carbonate excretion, and not the sharks or other large fish. It is also estimated that in future, with the increase in the sea surface temperatures and rise in the carbon dioxide levels, the amount of calcium carbonate produced by fish will also increase.
This article caught my attention because I found it interesting that there is such a relation between two different species of nature. Considering the bony fish are the ones' responsible for the excretion of calcium carbonate, scientists expect more levels of calcium carbonate in the future because of the increase of sea temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. I will be interested in finding out if there will be an increase in underwater plants, due to the increase in calcium carbonate. This is an excellent example of how "one man's waste is another man's dinner".
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/biology-current-events.html
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