Scientists have discovered a submarine world lost in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
During the research carried out at the bottom of the sea, at the intersection of three tectonic plates, with the help of an underwater robot, the researchers identified an unusual creature-an polychet worm that immediately attracted their attention through its unique appearance and biological features, reports the portal akpars.ru.
A spectacular organism from the depths
The animal belongs to the class of police, also known as worms with numerous bristles. The special feature of this copy is represented by its brilliant brushes, which reflect the light due to protein structures, giving them an irredged, glittering effect. These worms play an essential role in ocean ecosystems, contributing to recycling nutrients on the bottom of the sea.
The discovery took place near the coasts of Chile, where the continental platform collapses suddenly in the deep waters of the Pacific. This area is considered a natural laboratory for studying chemiosynthetic ecosystems-habitats made up of organisms adapted to extreme conditions, according to Hi-Tech Mail.
Exploration in depths with advanced technology
The research was carried out by the specialists from the Schmidt Oceanographic Institute, who used a remote -controlled device to explore the bottom of the ocean in the region where three tectonic plates are found. In the video images captured by the robot, the creature resembles a gigantic and hairy homide, which moves slowly on the marine substrate. The segmented body of the worm is covered with fleshy projections – called parapodes – provided with bristles (chets). Due to the protein composition, the brushes acquire iridescent reflections, which makes this species particularly interesting for the study.
Life in solidified lava
Previously it was believed that in such deep ocean areas only microbes and viruses can survive. But the recent discoveries contradict this theory. In the cavities under the solidified lava of the east-Pacific lifting, the researchers found entire communities of adult polychet, molluscs and marine snails. Marine biology teacher Monica Bright, from the University of Vienna, one of the authors of the study, explained that these discoveries were possible because the researchers began to explore not only the surface of the marine bottom, but also its inner gaps, where the conditions were more favorable than it was believed. There, the temperature reaches about 25 ° C, there is sufficient oxygen, a moderate concentration of hydrogen sulphide, and nutrients are produced by bacteria – which leads to a unique ecosystem.
In these cavities, tubular worms can reach lengths up to 41 cm. Scientists believe that hot water released during volcanic eruptions, mixing with the cold ocean, favors the spread of worms, which leads to rapid colonization of the marine bottom. This discovery emphasizes the importance of protecting these unique ecosystems of mining exploitation in the depths.
Amazing discoveries at 2500 meters deep
Also, near the hydrothermal springs, at a depth of about 2500 meters, scientists have identified gigantic white worms, such as Oasisia Alvinae, with a length of up to 20 cm, and Riftia Pachyptila, which can reach up to 50 cm. These organisms live in extreme conditions, in a rich water in chemical compounds and with a very low pH. Sabine Gollner, co-author of the study, has expressed the hope that future research will help to understand the distribution of these communities along the oceanic bottom and the depth to which these living things can enter the earthly bark.
