Nature holds many mysteries, and at times they are truly astonishing. But it should not really be surprising that there are many places on earth that can amaze us, especially in one of the most unexplored regions of the world – Antarctica.
In a remote region 160 miles from sunlight, and close to a mile beneath Antarctica’s frozen surface, scientists accidentally discovered “strange creatures” in an area considered to be a wasteland and devoid of life.
Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey drilled through some 3,ooo feet of ice after melting about 20 tons of snow. The goal was to scoop up seafloor sediment, before dropping a camera into the ice-cold ocean below. But they soon realized their tunnel had dug right above a boulder at the bottom of the ocean, making it impossible to scoop up any sediment. However, to their amazement, the camera picked up evidence of an ecosystem of life that left them bewildered. 2 kinds of bizarre creatures – types of feeding sea sponges never encountered before, were thriving in -2.2 degrees Celsius, where researchers believed no life was possible.
The amazing species were in pitch black water over 200 miles from any food source. A treacherous area of the antarctic sea floor, and yet they succeeded in surviving. It truly perplexed the scientists as to how this was possible.The accidental discovery just shows how little we know about the Antarctic, and the forms of life that call it home. It proves difficult for scientists and researchers from studying what lies below the ice because of the massive ice shelves that often rival the size of some countries. The awesome discovery was published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
British Antarctic Survey biologist Dr. Huw Griffiths said, “It’s not the most exciting looking rock- if you don’t know where it is.” Upon close inspection, the rock wasn’t home to just the bizarre alien-looking sponges, including some shaped like cylinders, but also a film of bacteria known as microbial mat, and a range of stalked organisms. Still, scientists were confused as to what food source nourished these “creatures.”
Typically, stationary life forms in the ocean rely on what is called “marine snow”, remains (including small particles) of decomposed sea creatures that sink to the depths of the ocean floor. However, with no apparent food source evident, speculation is that underwater currents are bringing bits of minute organic matter from ecosystems as far away as 390 to 930 miles away. But this is still mere speculation, more studies by the expedition are necessary to explain the mystery. It is clear that the scientists’ curiosity was surely aroused. Particularly in such an inhospitable region that should be devoid of lifeforms. Dr. Griffiths ponders, “Are they all eating the same food source? Or are some of them kind of getting nutrients from each other? Or are there more mobile animals around somehow providing food for this community?”
Well until evidence by the scientists are discovered, the mystery will continue to be a mystery. That is part of the perplexing beauty of nature.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
