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Jellyfish Swimming Is Mixing the Oceans
eviltangerine writes "A new article from LiveScience suggests that marine creatures, such as the jellyfish, may contribute as much to ocean mixing as wind and tides. Wired is also covering the story and includes a video of the jellyfish in action. From the article, 'The mere act of swimming implies that some water travels with the swimmer,' said CalTech engineer Kakani Katija, co-author of the study in Nature Wednesday. 'Drift applies to all animals, to anything with a body.' No word yet on when the jellyfish blender is to debut."
At the very least, the organism contains water.
However, Sir Newton shouldn't have any problem with the statement. Obviously, some water must be pushed away from the swimmer, but so long as the total water pushed backward equals the sum of the mass of the swimmer plus the sum of the water carried with the swimmer.
Furthermore, once the Jellyfish is in motion, any water carried with it, like the Jellyfish, will want to continue in motion. The most low-energy state allows the water already in motion with the Jellyfish to continue moving, while water in front of the animal is pushed aside and around back.
"Temporary vortices aside, I think that Sir Isaac Newton might take issue with this statement."
Well yes if you put the vorticies (turbulance) to one side you have probaly eleminated the mode of travel for the water. Customary car analogy: If I take the wheels of my car it will no longer roll down hill.
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
I mean, I know headlines can't convey everything, but it seems a few leaps have been made...