This study reveals that Antarctic krill sequester a similar amount of carbon through sinking fecal pellets as key coastal blue carbon habitats like marshes, mangroves, and seagrass. Due to their massive biomass and fast-sinking pellets, krill sequester 20 MtC per productive season, equating to USD$4-46 billion depending on carbon pricing. This carbon is stored for at least 100 years, with some pellets reaching the North Pacific. The study highlights the vulnerability of this crucial carbon sink due to climate change and expanding krill fisheries, emphasizing the need for habitat and population protection.

E. L. Cavan, N. Mackay, S. L. Hill, A. Atkinson, A. Belcher, A. Visser