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2w ago

Record-Deep Chemosynthetic Animal Communities Found in Pacific Trenches

Researchers confirm Pacific trench ecosystems at depths over 9 km are powered by hydrogen sulfide–methane seepage

An undated illustration shows the deepest chemosynthetic communities of organisms at the bottom of a deep-ocean trench, with the crewed submersible Fendouzhe above. Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, CAS (IDSSE, CAS)/Handout via REUTERS
A dense aggregation of mollusks called vesicomyid bivalves is seen in the seabed sediment of a deep ocean trench at a depth of 5,743 meters (18,800 feet) below the sea surface at a site called Clam Bed in the northwest Pacific Ocean, in this undated image. Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, CAS (IDSSE, CAS)/Handout via REUTERS.
Clusters of tube worms called "frenulate siboglinids", extending red hemoglobin-filled tentacles with small mollusks on the tops of the tubes near the tentacles, are seen at a depth of 9,320 meters (30,500 feet) beneath the sea surface at a site called Wintersweet Valley in the northwest Pacific Ocean, in this undated image. Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, CAS (IDSSE, CAS)/Handout via REUTERS
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Overview

  • A Nature study published July 30 documents vibrant chemosynthetic animal communities at depths up to 9,533 meters in the Kuril–Kamchatka and Aleutian trenches.
  • Crewed and robotic expeditions using the Fendouzhe submersible enabled detailed surveys of hadal zone ecosystems beyond 9 kilometers.
  • The tube worm and clam colonies feed on hydrogen sulfide–methane seepage and form some of the deepest known animal assemblages.
  • Some of the invertebrates appear to be previously unknown species, revealing unexpected biodiversity and extreme environmental adaptations.
  • Researchers argue the findings redefine life’s depth limits and point to potential analogues in extraterrestrial oceans.