seafloor

Surprise Fossil-Munching Sponges Found in Arctic Seafloor Wasteland

by

Entombed below a thick layer of sea ice year-round and nearly devoid of nutrients, the central Arctic Ocean is a frigid wasteland where few creatures are capable of surviving. That is why researchers at Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and their colleagues were so surprised to spot a thriving community of velvety deep-sea sponges below … Read more

Microbes survive deep below the seafloor at temperatures up to 120°C

by

It was thought that microbes in sediments beneath the seafloor died above 80°C, but scientists have found some that can survive up to 120°C and possibly higher temperatures Life 25 January 2022 By Michael Le Page Bubbles coming out of a cave in the Pacific seabed near Japan 7maru/Getty Images Living microbes have been found … Read more

60 Million Fish Nests in Antarctica Found in Single Largest Breeding Colony to Date

by

Scientists onboard an icebreaker in Antarctica were blown away when they spied a trove of 60 million icefish nests dotting the floor of the Weddell Sea. The bonanza of nurseries – each guarded by a ghostly looking parent – represents the largest known breeding colony of fish.   Autun Purser of the Alfred Wegener Institute was on the … Read more

Icefish: 60 million nests found in the seafloor near Antartica

by

In the Weddell Sea near Antarctica, scientists have found the largest colony of fish nests in the world, covering 240 square kilometres Life 13 January 2022 By Jason Arunn Murugesu Adult icefish sitting on their nests under the ice in Antarctica Alfred Wegener Institute / PS124 AWI OFOBS team The largest colony of fish nests … Read more