deep sea species

Proposed Deep-Sea Mining Zone Harbors Previously Unknown Species

17 October, 2019

Source: The Scientist
Author: Catharine Offord

Researchers have discovered high levels of biodiversity in deep-sea plains in the Eastern Pacific Ocean—an area that’s already been divvied up by mining companies for commercial exploration. The study, published today (October 17) in Current Biology, describes several new taxa of brittle stars, relatives of sea stars, and warns that industrial exploitation of the region could lead to serious declines in these and many other poorly documented species.

Continue reading Proposed Deep-Sea Mining Zone Harbors Previously Unknown Species

Scientists freak out over deep sea feast

17 October, 2019

Source: CNN

A team of researchers stumbled upon a “whale fall,” a carcass of a baleen whale, during a live-streamed deep-sea dive. Incredible video shows a wide variety of sea creatures feasting on it.

Watch the video here.

Deep sea sponges may hold key to antibiotic resistance

9 October, 2019

Source: chinadialogue ocean
Author: Jessica Aldred

Prof Mat Upton is a medical microbiologist and Dr Kerry Howell is a deep-sea marine ecologist. At the University of Plymouth they have discovered antimicrobial properties in bacteria that live in a species of deep-sea sponge ­– a potential breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. But they warn that such potential could be lost in the drive to exploit the ocean floor for minerals.

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Scientists tag deep-sea shark hundreds of feet underwater—a first

5 September, 2019

Source: National Geographic
Author: Haley Cohen Gilliland

As the team lowered Nadir, a bulbous three-seat submarine, into the waters off of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera on June 29th, the rain that had pummeled them that afternoon began to wane. They were eager to interpret the improving weather as a good omen; a lot was riding on this dive.

Continue reading Scientists tag deep-sea shark hundreds of feet underwater—a first

New SETI Project Will Practice Looking for Alien Life Near Deep-Sea Vents on Earth

9 August, 2019

Source: Discover Magazine
Author: Korey Haynes

Some of the most intriguing possibilities for finding life outside Earth are on water worlds like Europa or Enceladus — ocean moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn. However, those worlds are encased in layers of ice, meaning any ocean exploration will take place far beneath the surface.

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Protecting the strange sea pangolin and other animals: Q&A with deep sea biologist Chong Chen

7 August, 2019

Source: Mongabay
Author: Shreya Dasgupta

  • Creatures living in deep-sea hydrothermal vents lead a unique life that researchers are only now beginning to understand. Yet these animals are at risk of disappearing because of deep-sea mining before we even learn about them.
  • A deep-sea hydrothermal vent mollusk, the scaly-foot snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum), for example, debuted as endangered on the IUCN Red List this year because of threats from mining.
  • Mongabay spoke with deep-sea biologist Chong Chen, who has been assessing deep-sea hydrothermal vent species for the IUCN Red List, about his work and why listing these species on the IUCN Red List matters.

Continue reading here.