American and European oceanologists have made an amazing discovery in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. At a depth of about 2,500 meters, they discovered a previously unknown ecosystem that exists within the voids beneath deep-sea geothermal vents. This discovery has greatly expanded our understanding of where and how life is present near deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
One of the keys to this discovery was the discovery of two types of ecosystems associated with deep-sea geothermal vents. One type is above these sites and the other is hidden beneath them. Professor Monika Bright of the University of Vienna, who was involved in the study, said that this discovery greatly expands our understanding of life near deep-sea springs.
The study was conducted during an expedition on the research vessel Falcor. The main goal of the expedition was to study the fauna of deep-sea hot springs, which are located in the vicinity of tectonic faults at the bottom of the eastern Pacific Ocean. As a result of the expedition, the scientists discovered that colonies of microorganisms are formed around geothermal springs, which get energy from ejected substances along with hot water from the Earth’s interior. These microorganisms support a large number of invertebrates and vertebrates.
However, scientists have discovered that multicellular organisms are not only present near underwater geothermal springs, but also inhabit the cave-like voids beneath them. In these underwater “caves,” the researchers found colonies of worms-rhytids, anemones and other multicellular invertebrates. This discovery allows scientists to better understand the structure and functioning of these unique ecosystems.
To study this new ecosystem, oceanographers used an underwater robot called SuBastian, which collected rock and soil samples. Special traps were also used to capture multicellular animals living in underwater caves. The collected samples and catch will be further studied to unlock all the secrets of these hidden ecosystems.
This discovery is of great importance to science and oceanology. It expands our understanding of the possibility of life in the most extreme environments and helps us better understand the mechanisms of ecosystem function on Earth. It may also have important implications for the search for life on other planets
