Anna Hartz
Every year, the Arctic surprises scientists with new discoveries.
The deep ocean, covered by thick ice, is one of the least explored places on Earth. Recent research has revealed a unique ecosystem forming around gas seeping from the seafloor west of Greenland, reports WP. This site may be the deepest cold gas hydrate seep ever recorded. Cold gas hydrates are ice-like structures that trap gases such as methane.
Gas Rising from the Seabed
The discovery came during the Ocean Census Arctic Deep EXTREME24 expedition, led by the Arctic University of Norway and other institutions. Scientists noticed a plume of gas rising from the seabed. They sent a remotely operated vehicle to investigate.
The ROV found structures called Freya gas mounds, made of crystalline gas hydrate. Researchers collected samples of methane seep, crude oil, and sediments. They also observed a variety of deep-sea animals living there.
The team published their findings in Nature Communications. Giuliana Panieri, co-leader of the expedition, said the discovery is a game-changer for Arctic ecosystems and the carbon cycle. The site is both geologically active and biologically rich. It could affect biodiversity, climate processes, and the management of the Arctic.
Animals living on Freya’s mounds survive without sunlight. They feed on chemosynthetic microbes that turn methane, sulfides, and other chemicals into food. These species thrive at extreme depths of 3,640 meters. The ecosystem includes rays, tube worms, snails, and amphipods. The fauna is similar to that found around Arctic hydrothermal vents.
The Ecosystems Need to be Protected
Chemical analysis shows that the oil and gas may come from plants that grew in Greenland during the Miocene, 23 to 5.3 million years ago. This history explains why governments and mining companies are interested in the deep Arctic.
Scientists caution that deep-sea mining could harm fragile ecosystems.
Marine ecologist Jon Copley from the University of Arizona warns that sites like Freya’s mounds need protection. The connections between life at the seep and hydrothermal vents suggest that these ocean-floor habitats are crucial for Arctic biodiversity. He says human activities such as mining could threaten these unique ecosystems.
Freya gas hydrate mounds show that the deep Arctic is full of surprises. Protecting these ecosystems is essential for maintaining biodiversity and understanding the global carbon cycle. The expedition shows that even in extreme environments, life finds a way to thrive.
Sources: WP
