Study Finds gray Seals Can Observe Blood Oxygen to Forestall Drowning

Marine mammals depend on oxygen to outlive, but some species keep underwater for lengthy durations with out respiration. Scientists on the University of St Andrews needed to know how grey seals handle their time underwater with out counting on carbon dioxide buildup as a sign. Six grownup grey seals have been positioned in a managed setting to look at their diving patterns. The seals have been solely allowed to floor at a delegated chamber, the place researchers adjusted oxygen and carbon dioxide ranges to check their responses.

Research Confirms Oxygen because the Primary Trigger

According to the examine revealed in Science, completely different air compositions have been examined to measure their impact on dive instances. The air within the respiration chamber was adjusted throughout 4 situations: regular air, elevated oxygen, diminished oxygen, and heightened carbon dioxide ranges. When oxygen ranges have been elevated, seals stayed underwater for longer. When oxygen was diminished, they surfaced sooner. Carbon dioxide adjustments didn’t alter their habits, suggesting that oxygen, not carbon dioxide, determines after they come up for air.

Unique Adaptation in Marine Mammals

Researchers says that gray seals have an inner system to trace oxygen ranges. This permits them to floor earlier than reaching harmful limits. This potential prevents drowning and could also be widespread amongst different marine species. Since deep-diving mammals should handle oxygen rigorously, related mechanisms might be current in whales, dolphins and different seals.

Experts Weigh in on the Discovery

Lucy Hawkes from the University of Exeter and Jessica Kendall-Bar from the University of California, San Diego, mentioned the examine’s impression. They famous that understanding this adaptation sheds gentle on how marine mammals survive in excessive underwater situations. Further analysis may discover how this method works in several species and environments.