|
|
 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Running Hot and Cold in the Deep Sea: Scientists Explore Rare Environment Researchers discover unknown species at juncture where hot and cold habitats collide Scripps Institution of Oceanography / University of California, San Diego Among the many intriguing aspects of the deep sea, Earth's largest ecosystem, exist environments known as hydrothermal vent systems where hot water surges out from the seafloor. On the flipside the deep sea also features cold areas where methane rises from "seeps" on the ocean bottom. A 'foundation' species of tubeworm found in hot vents and cold seeps. Photo credit: Greg Rouse Because researchers who study such areas primarily focus on hydrothermal vent systems or methane seeps, Levin and her colleagues were surprised to find a hybrid site in an area where only cold seeps have been previously reported. They coined the phrase "hydrothermal seep" to describe the ecosystem. "The most interesting aspects of this site are the presence of vent-like and seep-like features together," said Levin, "along with a vast cover of tubeworms over large areas and a wealth of new, undescribed species." The researchers investigated the geochemical properties of the area-known as the Jaco Scar at the Costa Rica margin where an underwater mountain is moving under a tectonic plate-along with small organisms and microbes. Co-existing animals ranged from those known to primarily inhabit hot vents or cold seeps, along with "foundation" species that exist in both settings. In addition to tube worms the team documented fish, mussels, clam beds and high densities of crabs.  The symbiosis of an anemone and hermit crab in which the crab uses the anemone as a shell. Photo credit: Greg Rouse "There are plenty of surprises left in the deep sea," said Levin, director of the Scripps Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. "Not only are there new species but there are almost certainly new communities and ecosystems to be discovered." "In this instance the human presence, in the submersible ALVIN, was key to our findings. The site had been visited remotely by other researchers, but it was not until human eyes saw shimmering water coming from beneath a large tubeworm bush that we really understood how special Jaco Scar is.  A dense beds of large clams along with snails and crabs. The National Science Foundation supported the research. Assistance was provided by the Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica. # # # Note to broadcast and cable producers: University of California, San Diego provides an on-campus satellite uplink facility for live or pre-recorded television interviews. Please phone or e-mail the media contact listed above to arrange an interview.
About Scripps Institution of Oceanography |
|
