- HACON project, a group of over two dozen scientists and engineers used an underwater robot to successfully explore a cryptic ocean world.
- On Earth, these active vent fields are profoundly rare realms.
- The first scientific results of this unprecedented deep sea mission, however, may come within six months.
What’s more inaccessible than the deep sea? A deep sea blanketed in a thick shell of ice, says an article published on their mashable website.
HACON project
Yet during a daunting October 2021 mission called the HACON project, a group of over two dozen scientists and engineers used an underwater robot to successfully explore a cryptic ocean world some 13,000 feet beneath the surface of the ice-covered Arctic Ocean.
It was the first time researchers surveyed rare volcanic vents — and the life there — in the remote Arctic.
It’s a challenge, but it can be done
“It opens a new frontier of exploration in the Arctic,” Eva Ramirez-Llodra, a deep sea ecologist for the Norwegian government who co-led the mission, told Mashable. “It’s a challenge, but it can be done.”
It’s a challenge because scientists can’t simply journey to the Arctic and drop a sturdy exploration robot into the water. They use a thick-hulled ship called an icebreaker to plow through packs of floating ice, called ice floes.
And once at their remote destination, scientists must contend with the drifting ice: The ship (containing the exploration robot) is lodged in the ice, but the ice is incessantly moving. This means the windows for deep sea exploration are constantly evolving.
Found windows to lower their new exploration robot
But the exploration team found windows to lower their new exploration robot “Aurora” down into the depths on a tether. Their target was the “Aurora vent field,” a deep sea region teeming with geyser-like vents called “black smokers” that blow hot, dark, volcanic liquid into the water.
Unique life, like snails, worms, and crustaceans thrive on the volcanic chemicals. In a lightless world without energy from the sun, the creatures have no other choice.
Rare realms
On Earth, these active vent fields are profoundly rare realms. All the known active vent areas would fit into just 19 square miles (50 square kilometers), explained Ramirez-Llodra.
That’s less than half the size of San Francisco. “They’re a tiny existence around the world,” she said. “They’re very unique so we need to protect them.”
Protecting them doesn’t just mean exploring and mapping the uncharted vent field at some 13,000 feet down. It also requires finding and sampling what lives there, so scientists can make a case for their protection.
This work is increasingly salient, if not urgent. Nations are preparing to mine the deep sea — with giant tank-like vehicles — for precious metals, which will inevitably destroy life on the seafloor.
Deep sea creatures, A source for future medicines
Down in the ocean, the HACON mission found snails and crustaceans living around the vents, and other critters like shrimp in the greater vent field. The team also took comprehensive samples of life that make up the base of the food web, like tiny worms and microbes.
Crucially, some of these deep sea creatures may produce chemicals that could be a source for future medicines. Already, scientists are testing marine chemicals for uses in the treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, and melanoma.
“Systematic searches for new drugs have shown that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms,” says the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Unanswered question
With the unprecedented samples collected, the mission’s scientists will now scrutinize the life from this remote deep sea area.
Importantly, they want to know if much of the life around these Arctic black smokers is truly isolated and unique, or if it shares genes (and is “connected”) to deep sea life in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
It’s an unanswered question. But the researchers “expressed high confidence of new discoveries,” which will be announced in the coming few years, and beyond.
The first scientific results of this unprecedented deep sea mission, however, may come within six months, said Ramirez-Llodra.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: mashable.com
I want to express my appreciation for the writer of this blog post. It’s clear they put a lot of effort and thought into their work, and it shows. From the informative content to the engaging writing style, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Your content always keeps me coming back for more!
Leave a comment and let us know what your favorite blog post has been so far!
Skilled craftsmen who deliver top-notch results.
Boleh ga setuju, tapi ini keputusan yang terbaik
Thank you for the amazing blog post!
I appreciate the effort that goes into creating high-quality content, and this post was no exception. The insights and information were top-notch and made for a really engaging read. Keep up the great work!
Let us know in the comments which of their posts has resonated with you the most.
Love this appreciation for great content
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
From start to finish, your content is simply amazing. You have a talent for making complex topics easy to understand and I always come away with valuable insights.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
Keep up the amazing work! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.
From start to finish, this blog post had us hooked. The content was insightful, entertaining, and had us feeling grateful for all the amazing resources out there. Keep up the great work!
wonka bar strain
It’s always a joy to stumble upon content that genuinely makes an impact and leaves you feeling inspired. Keep up the great work!
Your blog posts never fail to entertain and educate me. I especially enjoyed the recent one about [insert topic]. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for the awesome content, it’s always appreciated
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
Your blog posts never fail to entertain and educate me. I especially enjoyed the recent one about [insert topic]. Keep up the great work!
On the outside, it looks like we have a perfect friendship. On the inside, we do have a perfect friendship! Do you think we should start doing the high five regularly?
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Your blog posts never fail to entertain and educate me. I especially enjoyed the recent one about [insert topic]. Keep up the great work!
Share your favorite blog post in the comments below!
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
From the insightful commentary to the captivating writing, every word of this post is top-notch. Kudos to the author for producing such fantastic content.
I want to express my appreciation for the writer of this blog post. It’s clear they put a lot of effort and thought into their work, and it shows. From the informative content to the engaging writing style, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This blog post has left us feeling grateful and inspired
Apresiasi untuk kebijakan pemerintah yang mendukung perkembangan dan kesejahteraan rakyat. Mari kita bersatu dan mendukung langkah ini. #DukungPemerintah #IndonesiaMaju
Let me know what type of content you’d like to see more of in the future!
Keep up the amazing work! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.
Your content always keeps me coming back for more!
Your content always keeps me coming back for more!
What other topics would you like to see covered on the blog? Let us know in the comments!
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
? Why choose RedPrimes?
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
We just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all the hard work and effort you’ve been putting in lately. Keep up the amazing job, you’re doing great!
Kebijakan positif pemerintah yang patut didukung. Bersama kita membangun masa depan yang lebih baik. #DukungKebijakanPemerintah #IndonesiaHebat
This blog post is worth the read – trust us!
Keep up the amazing work!
This blog post hit all the right notes!
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will