A team of scientists discovered a hidden ecosystem in the depths of the Antarctic Ocean, in an area that until January of this year remained hidden under an enormous iceberg. The expedition, led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, revealed the existence of **giant species, corals, sponges, and possibly unknown organisms to science** in an area that was previously inaccessible.
The discovery was made possible thanks to the detachment of **Iceberg A-84**, an ice mass the size of Chicago, which on January 13th separated from the **Jorge VI ice shelf** on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The expedition, aboard the research vessel **Falkor**, aimed to study the links between ice and sea, but the unexpected event led the team to change their plan and explore the newly exposed **seafloor**.
*”We did not expect to find such a beautiful and prosperous ecosystem. Considering the size of the animals, these communities have been there for decades, perhaps centuries,”* explained Patricia Esquete, a researcher from the University of Aveiro (Portugal).
## A Hidden Ecosystem in the Depths
Thanks to the use of the **SuBastian remotely operated vehicle**, scientists were able to explore the seabed at **1,300 meters deep** for **eight days**. There they discovered a surprisingly rich ecosystem, with **large corals and sponges that serve as shelter for a varied marine fauna**. Some of the observed species are believed to be **new to science**, although their definitive identification will take years.
Exploring areas under **floating ice shelves** is a challenge, as these regions remained **isolated from sunlight and surface nutrients** for centuries. However, researchers suggest that **ocean currents** could be the key to sustaining life in this **extreme ecosystem**, transporting nutrients from other areas. *”These discoveries give us a new perspective on how life adapts to extreme conditions,”* noted Esquete.
## The Impact of Climate Change
The detachment of icebergs is a natural phenomenon, but **climate change is accelerating this process**, causing the Antarctic ice sheet to thin. According to scientist Sasha Montelli from the **University College London**, the loss of these ice masses **significantly contributes to the rise in sea levels worldwide**.
The international team, composed of scientists from **Chile, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, and the United States**, is also investigating the effects of **glacial melting** in the region. To do this, they deployed autonomous underwater vehicles that monitor water circulation and local biodiversity.
*”Our work is key to understanding how Antarctica is changing and what impact it will have on the future of the planet,”* Montelli concluded.
## Self-sufficiency, the main feature of this hidden ecosystem
Generally, **deep-sea ecosystems** are characterized by depending on nutrients that fall from the ocean surface to the seabed. However, what caught the scientists’ attention was that this region was covered by a **150-meter-thick ice mantle**, hindering the arrival of nutrients to the seabed, keeping the region isolated.
One hypothesis raised by the researchers places **ocean currents** at the center of the scene. Scientists believe that these currents could have played a key role in the nutrient supply, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood.
The initial data obtained from the study of ocean circulation suggests that it is responsible for the flow of **meltwater**, providing the necessary nutrients to sustain the biodiversity found in this newly exposed area, opening up new lines of research on the resilience and adaptation of **marine life** in extreme environments.
Source: Euronews.
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