Underwater Animal Wonders – Although about 90 percent of the species found in the Clarion Clipperton region have never been identified, they may be threatened by mining for minerals such as cobalt and nickel.
Found in the Clarion Clipperton region of the deep sea, this sea urchin is one of several species that live at depths of up to 18,000 feet.
Underwater Animal Wonders
The hidden underwater world of 1.7 million square miles of ocean from Hawaii to Mexico is teeming with life. A new study reveals that there are more than 5,500 species in the Pacific deep sea known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone, of which about 90 percent have yet to be described by science.
Sea Wonder: Chambered Nautilus
“Everything [in the deep sea] is extremely cold, apparently completely dark,” says study co-author Adrian Glover, a scientist at London’s Natural History Museum who led the research. “The amount of food is very less. However – you know, the cheesy Jurassic Park line – life finds a way to survive.
To create a comprehensive list of all species living in the region, the researchers searched more than 100,000 biological records from research expeditions, with some records dating back to the 1880s.
They recorded an abundance of arthropods such as shrimp and crabs, as well as sea cucumbers, molluscs and, perhaps surprisingly, super-durable tardigrades that can survive in some of Earth’s most extreme environments.
More than 5,500 deep-sea species like this brittle star inhabit the Pacific region known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone.
Jellyfish Underwater Wonders Collection
To date, 185 new species have been identified from CCV. Only six new species, including this crinoid, or sea lily, have been observed elsewhere.
But there’s a catch: The region’s species share their home in the ocean’s largest known reservoir of valuable minerals, including cobalt, nickel and manganese. Concentrated in billions of dark nodules scattered on the seafloor, called “polymetallic nodules,” these minerals are needed to create renewable technologies like solar panels and electric vehicle batteries, which experts say will be critical in the fight to slow climate change. .
As a result, the CCZ has become a prime candidate for deep-sea mining operations. Although not yet legal, commercial offshore drilling in international waters is becoming a reality, with devastating consequences for deep-sea biodiversity. That’s why it’s so important to determine which species live in the area, says study leader Muriel Rabon, a deep-sea researcher at London’s Natural History Museum. (See more deep sea life photos.)
“If there is mining activity in the area, we need to understand what those impacts might be,” says Rabon, whose study is published today in Current Biology. Not knowing how many species there are in the CCZ, she says, “We’re blindsided.
Smartest Animal Species In The Ocean
A deep-sea squat lobster of the genus Munidopsiswa, found in the deep ocean, reaches depths of up to 18,000 feet.
There are more than 230 species of Munidopsis squat lobsters, many of which have been discovered through deep-sea exploration.
Over the past few decades, scientists have used underwater remotely operated vehicles to study the CCZ, which reaches depths of 18,000 feet in some areas. However, the biological data obtained from these campaigns is often overlooked, says Glover.
“There are a lot of samples collected from this environment that don’t work.”
Collection Underwater Images Sea Wonders Animals Fish Weed You Find Stock Vector By ©snegok13 583441926
To address this, researchers spent months collecting and compiling deep-sea data from seven different sources. One platform they draw on is DeepData, a database where contractors – including mining companies – are required to submit findings from exploratory mining environmental assessments through the intergovernmental body International Coastal Authority.
Researchers have recorded 5,578 species, of which only 436 species have been formally described to science. According to Glover, the list includes gelatinous “gummy squirrel” sea cucumbers and colorful polychaete worms, as well as some species such as sea lilies that actually live on stems attached to polymetallic nodules.
This tunicate is a new species. Researchers studied records dating back to the 1870s.
Glover is currently working on a separate exploration project funded by metals producer Metals, which has several exploratory mining contracts in the CCZ with the aim of mining the area. However, the authors declare no conflict of interest in this study. (Read more reports on how CCZ mining can be devastating to marine life.)
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“If we’re going to understand what’s going on in the Clarion Clipperton Zone and synthesize it in a way that we can effectively manage the area, we need to integrate knowledge from industry, academia and private foundations,” says Lisa. “We have to bring all the resources together,” said Levine, an oceanographer at the University of California, San Diego who was not involved in the study.
While the study provides a clear picture of all known deep-sea animals in the CCZ, it also reveals everything we don’t know about the region’s biodiversity — an equally important finding, Levine says.
Psychropotes discreta, known by its common name abyssal gummy squirrel, is a new species of sea cucumber identified in the CCZ.
“Another important point in this paper is that Clarion underestimates everything in the Clipperton area because it hasn’t sampled many parts,” she says.
About River Wonders
To recover the polymetallic nodules in the CCZ, companies plan to use large machines to mine the seabed, which past research has shown will also kill many of the fauna that live there. In addition, models suggest that sediment holes stirred up by mining operations can kill some species, and noise pollution from machinery can spread hundreds of miles from the original mine site. (Learn more about the deep sea mining competition.)
Faced with a range of potential risks, more than 700 marine experts have signed a letter calling for a halt to coastal mining until further research is carried out.
“We need more science to assess what the damage might be,” says Julian Jackson, oceans manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts, which funded the new study.
However, speculators and mining companies argue that deep-sea mining is urgently needed to meet the growing demands of renewable technologies. The next round of talks to discuss deep-sea mining regulations will take place this summer.
Marine Life Of Hawaii
“The question is how much risk society is willing to take,” Glover says. “We’re waiting to see if they go ahead [with offshore mining] or not. In the meantime, we’re trying to get as much information as possible.” The wildlife sanctuary’s festivities go beyond the Lunar New Year, as the Ganga Wonders mark a ten-year session enticing visitors with a variety of wildlife in freshwater habitats. From February 28 to April 14, 2024, visitors can experience a series of special activities while walking through the wildlife park.
At River Wonders Mekong River, visitors can get up close to river giants such as giant freshwater stingrays, the world’s largest and largest freshwater fish, and the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish.
Start your adventure by picking up a River Wonders Explorer Bingo card at the park entrance and exploring the squares while learning fun facts about the park and its residents. As a member of zoo associations worldwide, did you know that River Wonders participates in the Manatee Exchange Program, which ensures a healthy and sustainable population of the species under human care? The park also draws attention to the complexities of ecosystems in our natural world, shedding light on the fascinating behavior of land animals such as jaguars, which are often observed hunting along river banks. Complete at least one line on the bingo grid to redeem a pin as a reminder.
No tour is complete without hearing from our friendly curators. In addition to the main River Feeding Trailkeeper Talks, River Wonders is introducing two new sessions – Mekong Giant Catfish and Wild Amazonia Trailkeeper Talks. Available for a limited time, visitors can immerse themselves in unique insights and stories about incredible creatures like the Mekong giant catfish, white-lipped tamarin and silver arowana. Make the most of your day by checking out all three exciting sessions scheduled one after the other!
Welsh ‘weird Wonder’ Fossils Add Piece To Puzzle Of Arthropod Evolution
Questing takes on a different dimension with Ranger Buddy’s Quest, a new addition to River Wonder. Ranger Buddies Quest is part of the Ranger Buddies educational program that aims to nurture every child to become future-ready and responsible global citizens. Equipped with smart binoculars and a companion app, kids can visit checkpoints and embark on two missions for complete activities around the river wonder. Through interactive missions, gain a better appreciation of how different animals adapt to river ecosystems and their unique communication methods. This comes after the launch of Ranger Buddies Quest at Singapore Zoo.
Those who want to take it easy can extend their trip with a special overnight camp
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