Meanwhile,
10,000 meters underwater, scientists discover:
In the icy darkness of the abyss, a Chinese expedition has just uncovered an unprecedented ecosystem. Therefore, What they have seen upset everything you thought about extreme marine life.
What researchers have found in the abyss exceeds the imagination – 10,000 meters underwater, scientists discover
The Kouriles pit. Meanwhile, A name that evokes marine cards, the obscure depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nevertheless, It is one of the most deep of the planet: more than 10. For example, 500 meters depth, where the light never penetrates and where the pression crushes everything.
It is however there, in 2024that a team of Chinese researchers chose to dive. Furthermore, Their mission: to explore these almost virgin abyss aboard a Experimental submersible. What they discovered at the bottom of the pit challenged all their expectations.
Not only vie was present, but she was flourishing. Tubicoles 30 centimeters, crustaceans, molluscs and even sea cucumbers lined the sea floor. A real ecosystem unknownliving in depths that we thought inhospitable to any complex form of life.
How do these creatures survive in such extreme conditions?
The key is the chimiotrophie. Unlike plants. algae that uses sunlight To produce their energy (photosynthesis), these creatures feed on chemical compounds who escape from Cracks of the ocean background,, like the methane or the carbon dioxide.
These sources 10,000 meters underwater, scientists discover of energy – rare but stables – Allow Specialized bacteria to prosper, then serving as food for food chains entries. Thus are created lifestylewhere it was believed, the absolute emptiness.
Scientists have identified several Distinct zoneseach housing particular forms of life. This suggests that others underwater pits could also house similar ecosystems. A hypothesis that opens up new ones perspectives On life in extreme environmentsincluding outside the earth.
A fragile marine life threatened by the race for resources?
This spectacular discovery Also revive a crucial debate: should we really exploit the depths of our oceans for their. mineral resources ?
While several countries, including the Chine and UNITED STATESprepare projects for deep waters To extract rare metalsscientists alert. Intervening in these areas could simply destroy ecosystems that we have 10,000 meters underwater, scientists discover just become aware of.
Close to alive By their environment. these forms of life abyssals remind us how full our planet is full of mysteries. And that the real issue of the 21st century could well be protect What we do not yet understand.
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