New research has shown that whales ferry substantial quantities of nutrients for thousands of miles in their urine and other bodily outputs.

You’ve heard of the butterfly effect — the idea that a tiny flap of wings can trigger a hurricane on the other side of the world. Now, imagine a whale effect. Previous studies have found that whale poop helps fertilize the ocean,

Whales are not just big, they're a big deal for healthy oceans. When they poop, whales move tons of nutrients from deep water to the surface. Now new research shows that whales also move tons of nutrients thousands of miles—in their urine.