Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery at the bottom of the Japan Trench, revealing intricate burrows and tunnels created by deep-sea creatures. The trenches’ harsh conditions are thought to be inhospitable to life, but new research suggests that an abundance of organisms thrive beneath the Pacific Ocean’s surface.
A study published in Nature Communications found that sediment deliveries from above supply oxygen and vital nutrients to the deepest reaches of the ocean. Researchers analyzed 20 sediment cores from the Japan Trench using X-ray scans, revealing extensive animal-burrow structures for the first time.
The team discovered worm-like organisms and sea cucumbers digging burrows into the sediment to feed. However, the study did not identify the species responsible for the burrows. The researchers found that regular sediment deliveries play a crucial role in supporting animal and microbe communities at the bottom of the Japan Trench.
The effect of sediment falling to the bottom of the trench is compared to the impact of forest fires, as it resets environmental parameters such as light, temperature, and nutrient availability. Opportunistic species flock to the area once the dust settles, exploiting the newly refreshed ocean floor. The cycle repeats itself with microbes thriving in oxygen-poor conditions, attracting invertebrates that feed on them.
This discovery provides evidence that life does survive even in the deepest parts of the ocean, contradicting previous assumptions about the harsh conditions in this region.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/strange-corkscrew-burrows-other-unexpected-162330441.html