Deep Sea Wonders Episode 2: Beyond The Beaches

Summary

The deep sea is one of Earth's most mysterious and unexplored habitats, home to unique creatures and environments. Advances in technology, like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), have made it easier to explore these depths. Researchers such as Dr. Judith Gobin and Dr. Diva Ayman have studied regions off the coasts of Trinidad and Tobago, including the volcanic Kick'em Jenny in Grenada. The deep sea is characterized by extreme conditions like darkness, cold, and high pressure, but life thrives through adaptations like bioluminescence and chemosynthesis. Understanding the deep sea is crucial for biodiversity, fisheries, and global ecosystems, and further exploration is essential for its protection.

Takeaways

• 😀 The deep sea is the largest and least explored habitat on Earth, with much more left to discover than what is known.
• 😀 Advancements in technology, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), have made it easier to explore the deep sea and uncover its mysteries.
• 😀 The deep sea is home to unique creatures adapted to extreme conditions, such as high pressure and low temperatures.
• 😀 Deep-sea research in the Caribbean, especially around Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, has provided unprecedented footage of previously unexplored areas.
• 😀 The deep sea environment differs from shallow waters in key ways, including complete darkness beyond 300 meters, extreme pressure, and unique food chains based on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.
• 😀 Creatures in the deep sea have evolved to be bioluminescent, using light to attract mates, hunt prey, or avoid predators.
• 😀 Many deep-sea creatures are red or white because these colors are effective for camouflage in an environment with little to no light.
• 😀 The deep sea relies on a food chain where dead matter from surface layers, like plankton and marine snow, sinks down to sustain the ecosystem.
• 😀 The deep-sea environment is critical to global biodiversity and supports important ecological processes, including those that sustain fisheries.
• 😀 Exploring and understanding the deep sea is vital for protecting this essential part of the ecosystem and learning how to harness it for environmental and scientific benefit.

Q & A

What makes the deep sea environment so fascinating to scientists?

The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth and remains the least explored. Scientists are fascinated by its mystery, accessibility, and the unknown creatures and geology that exist there.

What role did Dr. Judith Gobin and Dr. Diva Ayman play in the deep-sea exploration?

In 2013 and 2014, Dr. Judith Gobin and Dr. Diva Ayman participated in a scientific expedition using the E/V Nautilus. They explored the deep seas off the coasts of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, bringing back never-before-seen footage of these unexplored areas.

What was significant about the 2013 exploration of Kick'em Jenny, the submarine volcano in the Caribbean?

The 2013 exploration of Kick'em Jenny marked the first time scientists were able to observe live footage of the submarine volcano. This was a breakthrough, as it provided new insights into the deep sea right in the scientists' own backyard.

How does the technology used in deep-sea exploration, such as the ROVs, contribute to the study of the ocean?

The remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) like Hercules and Argos allow scientists to explore depths up to 2,100 meters. Through telepresence technology, they can stream live footage of the deep sea, making it more interactive and accessible for everyone, from students to researchers.

What is the role of bioluminescence in deep-sea creatures?

More than 90% of deep-sea organisms are bioluminescent. Some use light to attract mates, while others use it to lure prey or evade predators. Bioluminescence is essential for survival in the dark, high-pressure environment of the deep sea.

Why is the deep sea referred to as a 'difficult' environment for life?

The deep sea is difficult for life due to extreme pressure, near freezing temperatures, and complete darkness. Creatures living there have evolved unique adaptations, like bioluminescence and specialized feeding mechanisms, to survive in this harsh environment.

How do deep-sea creatures find food in the absence of sunlight?

Without sunlight, deep-sea creatures rely on chemosynthesis, using compounds like hydrogen sulfide and methane emitted by hydrothermal vents. These creatures either consume organic matter that sinks from the surface or rely on bacteria that use these compounds to produce food.

How are deep-sea creatures adapted to extreme pressure?

Deep-sea creatures are adapted to survive the intense pressure by having flexible bodies, specialized enzymes, and other biological mechanisms that prevent them from being crushed or harmed by the weight of the water pressing down on them.

What is the significance of the deep-sea ecosystem for global biodiversity?

The deep-sea ecosystem is a crucial part of global biodiversity. Many marine species breed and find food in these habitats. The animals that reside in the deep sea play a foundational role in the food web, impacting fisheries and the overall health of ocean ecosystems.

Why is it important to continue exploring and protecting the deep sea?

Exploring and protecting the deep sea is essential because it plays a critical role in the global ecosystem, influencing food webs, biodiversity, and human resources like fisheries. Understanding these habitats allows us to safeguard them for future generations and use them sustainably.