deep sea – Page 4 – Southern Fried Science

The Ocean Adventure: mud, robots, and ecosystems

May 24, 2012May 29, 2012 Andrew Thaler 2 Comments

Science

We traveled to Cape Lookout Bight aboard the R/V Susan Hudson to sample sediment and test our homemade ROV. Along the way, we asked the research team to talk about their favorite marine ecosystems. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vpX4XGNjf8 Let us know what your favorite marine ecosystems are in the comments below.

I heart cryptozoology

October 6, 2011October 6, 2011 Andrew Thaler 5 Comments

Science

Cryptozoology, the study of animals whose existence is unproven, lies just south of the boundary between science and pseudoscience. Unlike most psuedoscientific movements, which require adherents to suspend disbelief and ignore the realities of physics, chemistry, medicine, and, well, reality, the foundational principals of cryptozoology – that there are remnant populations of thought-to-be-extinct species and that there are still large, charismatic animals that have not yet been discovered – are grounded in ecology. In deep-sea biology, we discover new species all of the time, some of which are far more fantastical than humans can imagine. Some times, we even discover once extinct species. So it is not much of a leap to go from exploratory zoology to cryptozoology.

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Rumors from the Abyss: visions of a future without deep sea conservation

July 6, 2011July 10, 2011 Andrew Thaler 3 Comments

Conservation, Science

sfs_26 — Bathymetric map, click for GEBCO high resolution image

The deep benthos is simultaneously the largest and least explored ecosystem on the planet. Covering nearly 60% of the Earth’s surface, it supports an almost unimaginable reservoir of biodiversity, rivaling all terrestrial habitats combined. Its microbial and metabolic diversity have revolutionized our view of how life is sustained, not once, but twice (first with the discovery of chemoautotrophic organisms at hydrothermal vents, and again with the discovery of cognate communities at methane cold-seeps). In spite of these major discoveries, the deep benthos is essentially invisible. Only a select few will ever witness it first hand, while for the rest, it will remain a dark and unfathomable abyss.

This places the deep benthos in a precarious position. Human activities that influence the deep sea go unnoticed. Without a thorough understanding of its ecology, it is impossible to assess the damage caused by anthropogenic impacts. Although recent and ongoing studies have shed light on many species and communities, the deep benthos remains largely unexplored. Two studies, both released this week, reveal simultaneously how little we know about the deep benthos and how human impacts, even unintentional ones, could shape this ecosystem.

Saving the Deep Sea

May 25, 2011 Andrew Thaler

Conservation

The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), an alliance of over 70 international organizations working to promote the conservation of deep sea biodiversity, has officially launch their blog – Save the Deep Sea. We all care about the wondrous life that exists in the deep sea – both known and unknown – and we all recognize … Read More “Saving the Deep Sea” »