Biodiversity Research in Clarion-Clipperton Zone Unveils Surprising Marine Life

(Photo : Wikimedia Commons/ROV KIEL 6000, GEOMAR) The photo was taken with the cameras of the ROV KIEL 6000 during expedition SO268 on the seafloor of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). The photo shows a PiCam in front of a sponge Hyalonema sp. with starfish (Brisingida).

Biodiversity researchers have hurried to document new marine life found between 13,000-16,000 feet underwater, anticipating a green energy mining project. The expedition aims to conduct an ecological census of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a region rich in potato-sized polymetallic nodules crucial for advanced batteries.

Many of the species encountered are likely to be previously unknown to science, according to a marine biologist from London's Natural History Museum (NHM). Some have been observed before but not formally documented.

Barbie Pig, Unicucumbers Discovered in an Expedition in CCZ

Dr. Adrian Glover, leading a team from London's Natural History Museum (NHM), recently embarked on an expedition to the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a region teeming with diverse marine life. The CCZ, a potential site for deep-sea mining due to its abundance of "sea potatoes," houses various species, including Barbie-pink sea pigs and unicumbers.

During the expedition, the team encountered a plethora of intriguing creatures, such as the hot-pink "Barbie pig," named by Southampton PhD student Bethany Fleming. The expedition provided an opportunity to capture high-definition images of these species, potentially revealing new-to-science organisms.

Regen Drennan, an NHM post-doctoral marine biologist, highlighted the significance of the expedition's findings, noting that while some species had been observed previously, they had not been formally described or collected until now. Eva Stewart, an NHM PhD student, emphasized that specimens collected during the expedition would undergo thorough identification and research at the museum, potentially leading to the discovery of new species.

In addition to documenting Barbie-pink sea pigs and unicumbers, the team observed rattail fish, which are notable for their ability to survive at great depths. The expedition delved 4,000-5,000 meters beneath the central Pacific's surface as part of the SMARTEX project, shedding light on the fascinating biodiversity of the CCZ.

READ ALSO: Largest Deep Sea Fish Captured in Rare Footage at 6,000-Foot Deep Off the Coast of Japan

Unveiling the Wealth of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone: A Key Player in Sustainable Energy Transition

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a region boasting vast manganese nodule fields, garners worldwide attention due to its immense potential wealth. Despite their modest appearance, these nodules house substantial amounts of cobalt, nickel, and manganese essential for electric vehicle production.

Deep-sea mining endeavors aim to extract these nodules, presenting a cleaner alternative to land-based mining methods with potentially lower environmental repercussions. Rory Usher, representing The Metals Company, underscores the CCZ's significance, highlighting it as the globe's primary reservoir for these metals despite covering only a fraction of the seafloor.

The expedition spearheaded by the UK seeks to evaluate the environmental ramifications of mining activities within the CCZ, balancing scientific inquiry with industrial interests. Mining entities assert that operations within the CCZ will have minimal impact on the seabed, even though many nodules have remained undisturbed for millions of years.

These heavy metals serve as crucial components in battery manufacturing, driving the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions. With ample resources to power millions of electric vehicles, the CCZ emerges as a pivotal player in advancing worldwide electrification efforts.

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