China reveals groundbreaking discoveries about Earth's deepest ecosystem
China has revealed groundbreaking discoveries regarding the planet's deepest ecosystem.
TroibNews 
In a groundbreaking development, Chinese researchers have created the first comprehensive map of the ecosystem in the Mariana Trench, which is known as Earth's deepest oceanic realm, effectively contradicting long-standing beliefs that such extreme conditions result in barren environments.
The findings, published in the journal Cell on Friday, unveil a vibrant community of microbes and animals that have adapted to the extreme pressures, near-freezing temperatures, and constant darkness of the trench. This discovery holds potential for significant advancements in both biotechnology and environmental science.
The research utilized samples gathered by China's domestically developed manned submersible Fendouzhe, which successfully reached the trench's depth of 11,000 meters in 2020. Scientists examined over 1,600 microbial specimens along with 11 species of fish.
"We have identified 7,564 microbial species . . . with 89.4 percent previously unknown to science," stated Wang Jing, a researcher from Shanghai Jiao Tong University involved in the study, during an interview with China Media Group. This remarkable diversity is comparable to the total documented microbial life in marine environments around the globe.
The study also sheds light on the unique survival tactics employed by the organisms residing in the trench. The researchers found that both microbes and fish utilize antioxidant mechanisms to mitigate cellular damage inflicted by the extreme pressures, a discovery that could inspire novel strategies in aging research and medical treatments.
"Antioxidants, like vitamin C or those in skincare products, protect cells," Wang noted. "These organisms' strategies might offer clues to enhancing human health."
Furthermore, certain microbes demonstrated remarkable capabilities to break down complex pollutants, such as benzene compounds, which raises the prospect for innovative methods in environmental cleanup.
Genomic analysis of deep-sea fish revealed additional adaptations, such as increased levels of specific fatty acids that help stabilize cell membranes under high pressure. The research also identified that the amphipod, a shrimp-like invertebrate, possesses genomes that are four times larger than those of humans, suggesting a level of genetic complexity that aids survival in harsh environments.
To promote international collaboration, the team has established the world’s first large-scale hadal microbial database, sharing findings under the Mariana Consensus framework.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
The findings, published in the journal Cell on Friday, unveil a vibrant community of microbes and animals that have adapted to the extreme pressures, near-freezing temperatures, and constant darkness of the trench. This discovery holds potential for significant advancements in both biotechnology and environmental science.
The research utilized samples gathered by China's domestically developed manned submersible Fendouzhe, which successfully reached the trench's depth of 11,000 meters in 2020. Scientists examined over 1,600 microbial specimens along with 11 species of fish.
"We have identified 7,564 microbial species . . . with 89.4 percent previously unknown to science," stated Wang Jing, a researcher from Shanghai Jiao Tong University involved in the study, during an interview with China Media Group. This remarkable diversity is comparable to the total documented microbial life in marine environments around the globe.
The study also sheds light on the unique survival tactics employed by the organisms residing in the trench. The researchers found that both microbes and fish utilize antioxidant mechanisms to mitigate cellular damage inflicted by the extreme pressures, a discovery that could inspire novel strategies in aging research and medical treatments.
"Antioxidants, like vitamin C or those in skincare products, protect cells," Wang noted. "These organisms' strategies might offer clues to enhancing human health."
Furthermore, certain microbes demonstrated remarkable capabilities to break down complex pollutants, such as benzene compounds, which raises the prospect for innovative methods in environmental cleanup.
Genomic analysis of deep-sea fish revealed additional adaptations, such as increased levels of specific fatty acids that help stabilize cell membranes under high pressure. The research also identified that the amphipod, a shrimp-like invertebrate, possesses genomes that are four times larger than those of humans, suggesting a level of genetic complexity that aids survival in harsh environments.
To promote international collaboration, the team has established the world’s first large-scale hadal microbial database, sharing findings under the Mariana Consensus framework.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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