💨 Abstract

Marine researchers exploring extreme ocean depths discovered an unprecedented chemosynthetic ecosystem driven by gases escaping from seafloor cracks between Russia and Alaska. Led by geo-chemist Mengran Du, the team found microbes and marine invertebrates thriving in lightless, high-pressure conditions, using methane instead of sunlight. The finding extends the known depth for such life and suggests these communities might exist in other hadal trenches, impacting global carbon cycles.

Courtesy: WTOP Staff