BEIJING: Chinese scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Mariana Trench, the world’s deepest oceanic region, revealing how life thrives under extreme conditions. Their study, published in Cell, provides new insights into deep-sea survival mechanisms.
Using specimens collected by the Fendouzhe (Striver), China’s deep-sea manned submersible, researchers uncovered remarkable adaptation strategies of microorganisms, crustaceans, and deep-sea fish. Their findings highlight the resource potential of these extreme marine species.
At nearly 11,000 metres deep, the Mariana Trench was once considered a lifeless abyss, with perpetual darkness, freezing temperatures, and crushing pressures of 1,100 atmospheres. However, on November 10, 2020, the Fendouzhe expedition revealed a thriving deep-sea ecosystem.
The study identified over 7,500 unique microbial genomes, with 90% previously unknown to science. This diversity rivals the total known marine microbial diversity worldwide. Researchers also found that the genome of the amphipod, a shrimp-like invertebrate, is four times larger than the human genome.
Furthermore, studies on 11 deep-sea fish species uncovered a fatty acid adaptation that helps them withstand extreme pressure, shedding light on their extraordinary ability to survive in such harsh environments.
These findings not only expand our understanding of deep-sea life but could also have implications for biotechnology, medicine, and marine conservation. Scientists believe this research marks a significant step towards unlocking the hidden potential of deep-sea ecosystems.
