How does the ocean twilight zone benefit life on Earth? This mysterious ocean realm helps regulate our climate, storing two to six billion tons of carbon annually. That’s up to six times the amount of carbon emitted from cars worldwide! Without this carbon “sequestration,” Earth could be 6-11°F warmer. The twilight zone also supports a healthy ocean ecosystem, containing up to 10 times more fish than the rest of the ocean and providing food for many other sea creatures. The ocean twilight zone could also play an important role in feeding a growing population. We are working to better understand this realm in order to inform sustainable management decisions.

Learn more about how the ocean twilight zone benefits life on Earth by download this report: go.whoi.edu/otz-value

© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution