A new chapter of marine exploration is about to begin in the South Atlantic. Scientists from the Conicet, part of the Deep Sea Studies Group of Argentina, are preparing for a new expedition aboard the Falkor (too) ship, in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. This team is set to venture into the Ameghino and Almirante Brown canyons, located about 600 kilometers off the coast of Chubut.
Exploration of the Argentine seabed
The Talud Continental V mission, projected for April 2027, aims to study a region of the Atlantic Ocean that remains little explored and presents great potential for biodiversity. This area is known for hosting vulnerable marine ecosystems, and its research could offer valuable scientific discoveries.
“It is a great satisfaction to return to investigate the deep waters of our territory,” commented Daniel Lauretta, a researcher at the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences and scientific leader of these campaigns. The initiative is part of a project that began in 2011, and its main objective is to discover new species that enrich scientific knowledge.
Conicet’s streaming reached The New York Times
In the previous expedition, between July and August of last year, research was conducted in the Mar del Plata canyon. This effort employed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for the first time in the region, allowing ultra-high-definition images to be captured at almost 4,000 meters deep, in addition to collecting samples without altering the environment.
During that period, cold-water coral reefs and extensive fields of soft corals were documented. These findings included more than 40 potentially new species to science, highlighting the area’s extraordinary diversity.
The expedition was not only an advancement for science but also in the field of public communication. Live broadcasts from the seabed garnered millions of views, bringing science closer to society and educational institutions from various regions, thus promoting a model of open and participatory science.
