Photo: A magnified crustacean from the Atlantic abyss – Buntzow/Corgosinho
As part of a concerted effort to explore what may be considered one of the last frontiers in terms of biodiversity, scientists have delved deep beneath the surface waters of the planet’s oceans and have made some amazing discoveries of life existing in the deeper realms.
Researchers from 80 different nations are participating in the Census of Marine Life, an ambitious project spanning ten years, documenting the great variety and abundance of marine life, including species found living in what to humans seems a very inhospitable environment.
Deep down, over 5000 meters, in fact, far from the light of the sun’s rays, where frigid temperatures are the day-to-day reality, a world exists full of strange and wonderful creatures.
With the aid of deep-towed cameras and sonar, among other equipment, the deep blue has divulged its secrets, and, being the largest ecosystem supporting life, it has a lot to tell.
The mud on the sea floor did not remain mum, but rather, revealed rare specimens of small clams, crustaceans and worms – biodiversity rivaling the tropics.
Finding appropriate food at such depths doesn’t seem to be a problem, as illustrated by the tubeworm which feasts on chemicals and gases as toxic as hydrogen sulfide. It doesn’t seem to hurt them, in fact, they can live to 100-200 years. Another worm has been discovered in the Antarctica region that eats the bones of deceased whales.
Researchers also discovered octopuses that swim by means of large ear-like fins, giving new meaning to the name “Dumbo.”
The Census of Marine Life’s first official release is expected in October 2010. Having begun in 2000, 5 of their 14 field projects target the deep ocean, beyond the reach of the sun’s light, where 17,650 species are now known to exist.
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