Many seekers today are ecstatic and very busy studying the outside world. So, little by little, they forgot that on our planet Earth there are also many unexplored places and discoveries to be made.
Marine life is an enigma today
Although many scientists aim to study space, it is said that 70% of the mysteries of the planet They are found in the aquatic depths. How can this be true? In fact, currently, many discoveries have been made in different places around the world surrounded by water.
Scientists conduct studies in New Zealand
Melting ice is something that worries a lot of people today. For this reason, a group of scholars was leading Antarctica surveys.
Its aim was to test whether the mouth had an effect on melting or was simply a consequence of climate change. However, what they discovered was much more exciting than they imagined.
Scientists work on the outer edges of the Ross Ice Shelf.
NIWA / Craig Stevens
A never-before-seen ecosystem is discovered
Scientists were drilling in the ross ice platform up the river, the project leaders were the universities of Auckland, Wellington and Otago. During these excavations, cameras were used which could capture a completely unknown ecosystem 500 meters deep.
That’s when they came across something unexpected. The researchers discovered large swarms of small creatures which belong to the group of “Amphipoda”, that is to say of the same family as lobsters, mites and crabs. We can say that this is a part of the world that until now has remained hidden and is now a bit mysterious.
The unexplored marine habitat
Craig Stevensphysical oceanographer National Institute for Water and the Atmosphere (Niwa), said that at first they thought “something in the camera was wrong. But, by focusing the camera correctly, they could clearly see that it was a group of arthropods They measured about 5 millimeters.
During the interview, Craig mentioned What, when they discovered this new species they jumped for joy. Well, his goal was to study whether climate change actually affects the melting of sea ice. But they found a new antarctic ecosystemsomething very surprising and exciting.
Who was the researcher who discovered the new ecosystem?
Head of Victoria University of Wellington appointed Huw Horwan It was he who was able to make this important discovery by looking at some satellite images. Horwan mentioned in this regard that, for him, it was like, be the first to enter a “world” no one knows exists.
Details of studies in Antarctica
The investigations began when the big eruption of the Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai volcano. In 2020, satellite images were taken in which the appearance of the underground river in Antarctica was observed. So Horwan proposed that cameras be installed hundreds of meters from the frozen plateau.
After locating the cameras in various areas of the underwater channel, what they found was more than they expected. In fact they said they never imagined they would find a new species Living in a place like this. More surprising than anything, these experiments are not new.
An enigmatic submerged cave
The team of researchers who witnessed the marvelous unknown ecosystem pointed out that the cave where they were found looked like some kind of cathedral. Well, the ice roof had several rather peculiar corrugations that made it look like a place of worship.
What information is there on the species found?
Swarm of tiny underwater animals captured 500 meters deep in Antarctica. Credit: NIWA/Craig Stevens
Unfortunately, at the moment there is not much information about it, it is because they are trying to take care of this unexplored ecosystem. However, it is hoped that scientists can do more research in this regard and be able to discover the origin of individuals. amphipods.
So far, many unanswered questions have arisen, such as, for example, What do these little animals eat? How do they survive such low temperatures? How are nutrients maintained so many meters deep?
You might also be interested in: They discover a fossilized forest hidden for millions of years in Brazil.
The truth is that it is also very worrying that these species are endangered as a consequence of global warming. For this, researchers will continue to study the place. It is possible that at some point we will know the answers, and, perhaps, we will end up more surprised than we imagine.
A post of Science of mystery. All rights reserved. – Redistribution and rebroadcasting of this content without prior permission is expressly prohibited. Site protected by Safe Creative.
Thanks for reading us. We invite you to follow us on our Facebook, to be aware of all the news that we publish daily. You can also join our community at Telegram. We are waiting for you!