Off the coast of Argentina, researchers have uncovered a remarkable underwater kingdom, existing in total darkness and under immense pressure. Aboard the research vessel Falkor, utilizing the submersible SuBastian, scientists stumbled upon a colossal reef composed of the rare, cold-water coral Bathelia candida. This reef spans approximately 0.4 square kilometers, an area comparable in size to the entire Vatican City!
“This is one of the most vibrant ecosystems I’ve ever encountered,” stated biologist Santiago Herrera. One might assume that life would be scarce on the ocean floor, far from any sunlight. However, these corals have developed a method of filtering what’s known as “marine snow” – organic debris that slowly descends from the surface. This has created a veritable oasis around the reef, teeming with scurrying crabs, hunting octopuses, and gracefully gliding sea stars.
But the discoveries didn’t end there! En route, the expedition documented the skeleton of a colossal whale at a depth of 3,890 meters, which has become a habitat for deep-sea scavengers. They were also fortunate enough to capture footage of giant phantom jellyfishes (Stygiomedusa gigantea), exceeding 10 meters in length. In the entire history of ocean exploration, encounters with this species have been documented less than 120 times, according to planet-today.ru.
In total, the expedition identified 28 species that may prove to be entirely new to science. “We have opened a window into biodiversity, and there are still many more such windows to be discovered,” commented Argentinian scientist Maria Emilia Bravo.
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