Why is in News?
Scientists have discovered potential new species on the Antarctic seafloor exposed by the A-84 iceberg's (detached from the George VI Ice Shelf) breakaway.
- Ice shelves- These are floating tongues of ice that extend from grounded glaciers on land.
- Formation - They are formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow, which, over time, turns into ice.
- Ice shelves are common around Antarctica, and the largest ones are the Ronne-Filchner, Ross and McMurdo Ice Shelves.
- These are crucial for understanding climate change and sea level rise.
- Role - Ice shelves stabilize land-based glaciers, acting as a "buttress" against the ocean.
Key Highlights
- Unveiling a Hidden Ecosystem - Following the breakaway of the A-84 iceberg, a remotely operated submersible (ROV) recently explored the newly exposed Antarctic seafloor.
- The team of scientists conducted deep-sea exploration at depths of up to 1,300 metres beneath the ice.
- They discovered a thriving ecosystem with an abundance of marine species, including
- Icefish and Octopi – Adapted to extreme Antarctic conditions.
- Giant Sea Spiders – Deep-sea arthropods that have evolved in isolation.
- Large Corals and Sponges – Supporting complex underwater habitats.
- Giant Phantom Jelly – A rare jellyfish species that can grow up to one metre wide.
- Vase-shaped Sponges – Some of these specimens could be hundreds of years old.
Scientific Significance
- The discovery was unexpected as these deep-sea environments were assumed to lack sufficient nutrients for complex ecosystems.
- Normally, deep-sea life relies on organic material from photosynthetic organisms falling from the ocean surface.
- However, the 150-metre-thick ice shelf covering this area for centuries blocked access to surface nutrients, making the existence of rich biodiversity surprising.
- Scientists speculate that essential nutrients might be transported by
- Ocean Currents – Carrying organic matter from distant areas.
- Glacial Meltwater – Potentially introducing nutrients trapped in ice.
- Unknown Biological or Chemical Processes – Yet to be fully understood.
Global Research Initiative
- The expedition was part of Challenger 150, a UNESCO-endorsed global deep-sea research initiative.
- Conducted by an international team of scientists, the mission aimed to explore the world’s least-studied marine environments.
- The research will provide crucial insights into climate change, ice shelf dynamics, and deep-sea ecosystem functioning.
- Previous signs of bottom-dwelling life under Antarctica’s ice shelves were only reported in 2021, making this discovery a major advancement in marine science.
Reference
The Indian Express - Life under Antarctic ice shelf
