Scientists have discovered a hidden ecosystem deep beneath the Arctic Ocean, changing the way we understand life in the deep sea and how carbon moves through the Earth. Despite being in complete darkness and freezing temperatures, this ecosystem is surprisingly full of life, according to Newsweek.
This discovery is important because it affects climate science and raises questions about whether minerals should be mined from the Arctic seafloor. The findings could influence international policies on deep-sea mining and ocean conservation.
The ecosystem was discovered by a team of scientists led by Juliana Panieri and Jonathan T. Copley. They found the deepest methane hydrate mounds ever recorded, which they named the Freya Mounds. These mounds are located on the Molloy Ridge of the Greenland Sea, about 2.5 miles below the ocean surface.
The Freya Mounds are home to a variety of deep-sea organisms and could help scientists understand how life survives in extreme environments. They may also provide new insights into carbon storage in the ocean, which is important for predicting and managing climate change.
Overall, this discovery highlights the Arctic Ocean as a unique and fragile ecosystem, emphasizing the need for careful research and protection before any industrial activity, like mining, takes place.