The Floating Filters That Could Help Save Our Planet
Silent, see-through, and underrated—these gelatinous animals quietly shape the ocean’s balance.
In the silent, blue vastness of the open ocean, where the surface glitters with sunlight and the depths stretch into mystery, floats an animal many have never heard of. It has no bones, no brain, and barely any color. It looks like a ghostly cylinder of jelly drifting with the current. But despite its fragile appearance, this creature is powerful.
It’s called a salp, and it might just be one of the ocean's best-kept secrets.
They Aren’t Jellyfish
At first glance, a salp might be mistaken for a jellyfish. They’re both transparent, gelatinous, and found drifting in the sea. But they aren’t related. Salps belong to a group of animals called tunicates, which are more closely related to vertebrates like us than to jellyfish.
Salps have a barrel-shaped, muscular body. They move by pumping water through their bodies, a motion that not only propels them forward but also helps them feed. They aren’t stingers or hunters—they’re filter feeders.
Nature’s Tiny Water Filters
Salps feed by filtering microscopic phytoplankton from the seawater. As water flows through their gelatinous bodies, sticky internal filters trap these tiny plants. A single salp can filter gallons of seawater each day.
This makes them one of the ocean’s most efficient filter feeders, cleaning vast amounts of water as they drift along. They may look simple, but salps are constantly scrubbing the sea.
Champions of Carbon Capture
What makes salps truly special is their unexpected role in carbon cycling. The phytoplankton they eat contains carbon absorbed from the atmosphere. After digestion, salps release dense, fast-sinking fecal pellets that carry this carbon to the ocean floor.
This process, known as the biological pump, removes carbon from surface waters and helps store it deep in the ocean. Salps, without even trying, are fighting climate change just by doing what they do naturally.
They Can Multiply Like Crazy
One reason salps are so effective at cleaning the oceans is their explosive reproduction. When conditions are right, salp populations can bloom into massive swarms.
In some cases, these swarms stretch for kilometers, forming long chains of salps linked together like underwater beads. These chains are not only mesmerizing to watch but also highly productive in cleaning water and exporting carbon.
Shapeshifters of the Sea
Salps have a life cycle that includes both solitary and colonial phases. A single salp (the asexual phase) can produce a chain of genetically identical clones (the sexual phase). Those clones then go on to reproduce sexually, starting the cycle again.
This ability to switch between reproductive modes helps them respond quickly to changes in the environment. It’s one reason why they thrive in areas where food suddenly becomes abundant.
They Appear, Then Vanish
Salp blooms can appear suddenly and vanish just as fast. Because of this, they’re often overlooked by scientists and the public. Unlike whales or sea turtles, they don’t attract much attention.
Yet their impact is enormous. In some years, salps can dominate the zooplankton community, displacing other species and temporarily shifting the food web.
Nearly Invisible, Hugely Important
Their transparent bodies make salps hard to spot, but they play a major role in marine ecosystems. They compete with krill, form food for some fish and turtles, and influence nutrient cycling across the oceans.
In an era where oceans are warming and food webs are shifting, salps may become even more important in shaping the ecological balance of the seas.
Ocean Engineers We Rarely Notice
Most people have never heard of salps. They don’t headline documentaries, and they’re not the poster animals of conservation. But maybe they should be.
With their ability to filter water, absorb carbon, and rapidly adapt to changes, salps are unsung ocean engineers. They may be simple in design, but their impact is anything but small.
Final Thoughts: Small, Soft, and Saving the World
In a world where we often celebrate the loudest, biggest, or most beautiful, salps remind us that quiet workers can make the biggest difference. These floating tubes of jelly might not look impressive, but they perform a job critical to the planet’s health.
They clean water, help lock away carbon, and thrive in a changing ocean. As climate change and pollution threaten marine ecosystems, understanding and appreciating animals like salps could be key to protecting the oceans.
Next time you imagine ocean heroes, think beyond dolphins or whales. Think of the transparent drifters, working silently, helping keep the ocean alive.
Because sometimes, the ones you can barely see are the ones holding everything together.
About the Creator
Microbiota, microbiome or microflora: how to speak correctly and why it is for health.
You've probably heard the phrase, "We are what we eat." But modern science says more precisely: we are also those who live in us. Until 2016, it was believed that there are many times more bacteria in our body than our own cells. The latest calculations by mathematicians show that we divide the body with our microorganisms by about 50/50: about 30 trillion of our cells versus 38 trillion bacterial ones.
By Yaroslav Gorohov3 days ago in Earth
Chinese EVs Closing In on America After Canadian Tariffs Deal
The electric vehicle race is no longer just about climate goals or consumer choice — it has become a geopolitical contest. And in early 2026, a subtle but powerful move by Canada may have tilted the board. By agreeing to sharply reduce tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Canada has opened a door that the United States has worked hard to keep shut. While Chinese EVs are still largely barred from the American market, they are now edging closer than ever — not by crossing the border directly, but by entering through Canada. This development raises a pressing question: Are Chinese EVs closing in on America, and what does that mean for the future of North American auto markets? The Deal That Changed the Game Canada’s new agreement with China allows up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles per year to enter the Canadian market at a tariff rate of just over 6%, a dramatic drop from the previous 100% tariff that effectively blocked them. On paper, the quota seems small. In reality, it carries enormous symbolic and strategic weight. For years, both Canada and the United States aligned closely on keeping Chinese EVs out, citing concerns over unfair subsidies, national security, and the protection of domestic auto industries. This new deal marks a clear shift — and a divergence from U.S. policy. Canada didn’t make the decision in isolation. The EV tariff reduction was part of a broader trade reset with China, tied to agricultural exports such as canola and efforts to stabilize a strained economic relationship. Why Chinese EVs Matter So Much China is the undisputed leader of the global electric vehicle industry. Its manufacturers produce EVs at scale, often at prices Western automakers struggle to match. Brands like BYD, Nio, and Xpeng have already expanded aggressively into Europe, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East. North America has remained one of the final fortified markets — until now. Chinese EVs are appealing not just because they’re cheaper, but because they’ve rapidly improved in quality, range, and technology. For consumers priced out of North American and European EV models, Chinese vehicles offer something rare: affordability without sacrificing features. Canada’s decision gives Chinese automakers their first legitimate foothold in North America — and footholds tend to grow. Why the U.S. Is Nervous The United States still enforces a 100% tariff on Chinese EV imports, making them effectively unsellable in the American market. But Canada’s move has triggered concern in Washington. U.S. officials argue that Chinese EVs entering Canada could indirectly pressure American markets, influence supply chains, and weaken Washington’s leverage in future trade negotiations. There’s also a political dimension. Both major U.S. parties have framed Chinese dominance in EVs as a strategic threat — not just to auto jobs, but to technological leadership. Modern EVs collect vast amounts of data, and lawmakers have raised concerns about cybersecurity and foreign data access. While Chinese EVs aren’t rolling onto American roads yet, their presence just across the border changes the conversation. Canada’s Risk — and Opportunity Inside Canada, the reaction has been mixed. Automotive hubs like Ontario worry that opening the market could undermine domestic manufacturing and strain relations with the U.S., Canada’s largest trading partner. Some leaders have called the deal “lopsided,” warning it could cost jobs if American retaliation follows. Others see opportunity. A more competitive EV market could lower prices for Canadian consumers and accelerate EV adoption. It may also attract Chinese investment into Canada itself — including factories, battery plants, and supply chain partnerships. If Chinese automakers choose to build in Canada rather than simply export to it, the country could position itself as a bridge between Chinese EV innovation and North American demand. That balancing act — between economic opportunity and political risk — defines Canada’s strategy. Are Chinese EVs Really ‘Closing In’ on America? For now, the answer is: not directly — but strategically, yes. Chinese EVs sold in Canada won’t automatically flood the U.S. market. Regulations, trade rules, and tariffs still stand in the way. But proximity matters. Supply chains overlap. Consumer awareness spreads. Manufacturing footprints expand. There’s also the possibility of a workaround: Chinese companies could eventually build EVs in North America to bypass tariffs altogether. This idea has already been floated — but it faces fierce resistance from U.S. lawmakers and unions. Still, history shows that once a global industry leader gains regional access, momentum often follows. What This Means for Consumers For Canadian buyers, the impact could be immediate: more choice and lower prices in an EV market that has long been criticized for being expensive and limited. For American consumers, the effect will be indirect — at least at first. But increased competition could eventually pressure U.S. automakers to reduce prices, improve features, and accelerate innovation. The larger question is whether North America wants competition or insulation — and how long insulation can realistically last in a globalized EV economy. The Bigger Picture: A Global EV Power Shift Canada’s tariff deal reflects a broader reality: China’s dominance in electric vehicles is reshaping global trade, whether governments like it or not. Europe is already grappling with an influx of Chinese EVs. Emerging markets are embracing them. And now, North America has its first real crack in the wall. This isn’t just about cars. It’s about who controls the future of clean transportation, supply chains, and industrial policy. Final Thoughts Chinese EVs aren’t driving down American highways yet — but after Canada’s tariff deal, they’re closer than ever. This move doesn’t spell immediate disruption, but it does signal a shift. One country has decided that economic pragmatism outweighs political alignment. And in doing so, Canada may have opened the door to a new phase of EV competition in North America. Whether that door swings wider — or slams shut — will depend on how the U.S., automakers, and consumers respond. One thing is certain: the EV race just entered a new chapter.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 21 hours ago in Earth
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