Abstract
Life has always been a fascination of human beings. While we all strive hard to detect and analyze the essence of life and the impact it has on our lives, we need to understand that life in itself is a big mystery, the truth of which, is still a secret that is yet to be ascertained by the sharpest brains on the planet. While talking of life, we need to understand that beings dwell both in the air as well as on land. But do we know that life also exists at the depth of the ocean? Well, the answer is yes.
There is a large colony of living species which are stated to live and flourish on the oceans floor. In this research paper, we would be discussing the various life forms which dwell on the ocean’s depth but are relatively unknown to the entire world. We would not be finalizing our research on animals alone, instead, we would like to diversify and provide an insight into the bustling new world while life hidden in the depths of the murky water.
Introduction
Life at the Ocean’s Depth
Did you know that at the depth of the ocean, the pressure of water is equivalent to almost 50 jumbo jets? The feeling is like having fifty large jumbos parked right over your head. Yet despite the terrific pressure, life is stated to exist deep in the bed of the ocean. According to a research that was conducted by eminent marine biologists, it was found that life exists in Challenger Deep, which lies at a depth of almost seven miles. When the soil was tested through the aid of an external tool, it was found that most of the surroundings were single-walled and they were composed of single-celled organisms.
According to the researchers, these life forms seem to resemble the earliest forms of living creatures. The living forms are termed as foraminifera. They are single celled life forms and are supposed to belong to the category of algae and slime molds. There are approximately four thousand varieties of foraminifera living in the ocean’s depth.
While most of them dwell on the ocean floor, some are stated to live approximately 100 meters below the water surface and a few live on land as well. The program director of the marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) in Yokosuka, clearly stated his surprise in finding 432 varieties of foraminifera. Challenger Deep is supposed to be the deepest point of the Mariana Trench the surprising factor was that despite the immense water pressure, the microorganisms were able to survive without any evident problem (Roach, 2005).
The History of Foraminifera
Foraminifer is often the most exclusive variety of organisms that are said to infect the ocean floor. They are also considered to be the most exclusive as well as elusive organisms that are found to live in the most extreme conditions. Numerous discoveries and research have shown that bacteria live in beneath the earth’s surface and that they have the ability to slip through the earths crust and seep inside the ocean’s floor.
Numerous research studies have shown that bacterium have been found in the lakes that are covered by a layer of ice. Researchers have also proven the fact that bacteria live beneath the lakes in Antarctica, wherein the surface of the lake is covered by a layer of thick ice. Researchers are of the belief that this bacterium is habitual of living at such depths for millions of years and hence, it has the ability to withstand tremendous water pressure and lead a fruitful existence. When researchers tested the DNA samples of foraminifera, they realized that the samples belonged to the oldest living beings on the planet. They also state that these organisms came into existence some 543 million years ago and are still alive and living in the Challenger Deep.
Foraminifera are considered to be of vital importance in order to maintain the biology of the ocean. They comprise of almost half of the living creatures that are found in the deep sea and make up most of the lower food chain. From the point of view of research, the mysterious creatures are often looked on as an essential means of defining the secrets of the deep seas (Roach, 2005).
Protecting the Ocean Environment
The oceans environment needs to be protected by all means. There have been various laws that have been formulated to safeguard the marine environment and while most laws have been audited from time to time, there are a few that need to be taken care of and adhered to at all times. In order to preserve the living as well as the nonliving organisms dwelling in the ocean depths, the United States government has taken certain steps to step pace and ensure that the laws are followed on a regular basis.
In order to ensure the preservation of navigation and preservation rights on high seas, all member nations need to have the right to innocent passage in territorial waters without the need to seek prior permission from the coastal bodies of the concerned state. Likewise, the right to transit ships, planes and freight carriers need to be adhered to for the purpose of international navigation. This right is legal and it cannot be hampered, impaired or changed. The right to archipelagic sea lanes is also considered valid. Seaplanes are allowed to navigate through international routes while passing archipelagic states without any sort of restrictions from the concerned state.
The high seas also exercise freedom to conduct military exercises at their personal discretion. Military activities and surveys can therefore be conducted without any sort of restriction. In order to cleanse the existing marine environment, the introduction of clean bio-fuels was undertaken at the cost of $18 billion. Battery, hydrogen fuel cells, and wind, solar, and clean and safe nuclear power were also introduced in sea travel (Bush, 2009).
Rare Findings
It has been noticed that fossils of rare animals have been sought as a rare occurrence in the present-day marine scenario. In order to preserve the soft-bodied organisms, which once made up for the ocean floor, an attempt is being made to revive the general ecosystem of the ocean in accordance with the set standards. While in the recent past, only the hard-bodied parts such as the bones, skull, and the teeth were considered as a symbol of preservation, it needs to be understood that remains of well-preserved marine fossils is still considered as an exceptional finds. There are some remains, nonetheless, which have the ability to remain intact regardless of the number of years.
The remains of the Burgess Shale, is a classic example of a fossil that has the gut, eye as well as the muscle intact, even though it had died millions of years ago. These soft tissue fossils provide a clearer picture of animals and fishes which dwelled in the murky depths of the ocean, millions of years ago. For better preservation, several soft tissue organisms have been replicated in calcium phosphate. Such methods often capture even the sub-cellular details of the marine organism.
The sub-cellular details include the cell nuclei, the mitochondria as well as the cryptic anatomy of the ancient sea creatures. Soft-bodied organisms are therefore considered to be the most prominent means of studying the overall structure of those sea creatures which dwelled millions of years ago (Philip, Keith, Kevin & Susan, 2008).
Conclusion
Imagine a scenario wherein you are living 2500 meters below the ocean’s surface. Here, the water is oscillating in between 3 degrees to 43 degrees. What kind of genes would you hope to find here? The question has been answered by a recent investigation by a leading researcher named Kathleen Scott, who discovered the special adaptations which are ideally required by creatures who dwell deep in the ocean floor in order to survive the immense water pressure and harsh living conditions.
The complete gene of Thiomicrospira crunogena XCL2 was first discovered in the year 1985. The discoveries were made from the East Pacific Rise and they clearly showcased the importance of these living organisms on the entire marine ecosystem. The plants which swell on the ocean’s flow make us of the sun’s energy to produce food. They achieve their goals through the process of photosynthesis (Bob, 2008).
Life at the bottom of the ocean has always fascinated researchers from across the globe. While many researchers have had the privilege of making use of the latest technological innovations which in turn aid in the findings, others had to make do with the prehistoric equipment in a bid to ascertain the secrets which lay hidden in the depths of the ocean floor.
Regardless of the scenario, the outcome has been very fruitful and researchers have discovered rare fossils, plants as well as living organisms living in areas wherein the water pressure exceeds the pressure exerted by 54 jumbo jets. While this is phenomenal, it would certainly be a long while we manage to unearth all the secrets which lie hidden in the murky depths of the blue waters (Liza, 2006).
References
- Bob, H. (2008). Animal reality as it’s never been seen before. New Scientist,197(2639),22.
- Bush, G. W.(2009). Remarks on signing proclamations to establish the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, Pacific remote Islands Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents,45(1),8.
- Liza, G.(2006). Genomic insights into (extreme) life at the bottom of the sea. PLoS Biology,4(12),2171.
- Philip, W., Keith, D., Kevin.,& Susan, M.(2008). Preserving the unpreservable: a lost world rediscovered at Christian Malford, UK. Geology Today,24(3),95.
- Roach, J.(2005). Life is found thriving at the ocean’s deepest point.