Pink algae, spidery starfish: Robot gives rare glimpse under Antarctic sea ice | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Pink algae, spidery starfish: Robot gives rare glimpse under Antarctic sea ice

AFP, Sydney | By
Dec 21, 2016 01:11 PM IST

While species like penguin, seals and whale often steal the show in the Antarctic, a robot has captured footage which reveals that underwater world beneath the ice capes is equally diverse and houses habitation full of myriad colours.

An underwater robot has captured a rare glimpse beneath the Antarctic sea ice, revealing a colourful world filled with coconut-shaped sponges, dandelion-like worms, pink algae and spidery starfish.

A screen grab from the Australian Antarctic Division shows what lie beneath the Antarctic sea ice.(AFP Photo)
A screen grab from the Australian Antarctic Division shows what lie beneath the Antarctic sea ice.(AFP Photo)

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) took footage on a camera attached to a Remotely Operated Vehicle sent down by scientists through a small hole drilled in the ice as they recorded the acidity, oxygen, salinity and temperature of the seawater.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“When you think of the Antarctic coastal marine environment, the iconic species such as penguins, seals and whales usually steal the show,” AAD biologist Glenn Johnstone said Wednesday.

“This footage reveals a habitat that is productive, colourful, dynamic and full of a wide variety of biodiversity, including sponges, sea spiders, urchins, sea cucumbers and sea stars.”

These species, recorded near Australia’s Casey research station, live in water that is -1.5 degrees Celsius (29.3 degrees Fahrenheit) year round and covered in 1.5 metres (nearly five feet) of sea ice for 10 months of the year.

Scientists operating a remote underwater camera through a hole in the ice at O'Brien Bay near Australia's Antarctic Casey research station. (AFP Photo)
Scientists operating a remote underwater camera through a hole in the ice at O'Brien Bay near Australia's Antarctic Casey research station. (AFP Photo)

“Occasionally an iceberg may move around and wipe out an unlucky community, but mostly the sea ice provides protection from the storms that rage above, making it a relatively stable environment in which biodiversity can flourish,” he said.

Scientists are in Antarctica working on better understanding the impact of acidification on Southern Ocean sea-floor communities under increasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Project leader Johnny Stark said a quarter of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere was absorbed by the ocean, which increases its acidity.

“Carbon dioxide is more soluble in cold water and polar waters are acidifying at twice the rate of tropical or temperate regions,” he said.

“So we expect these ecosystems to be among the first impacted from ocean acidification.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On