2023-05-30 11:42:00
In the depths of the Pacific Ocean, an area full of creatures that we did not know about has been found. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they are already in danger.
The Zona Clarion-Clipperton (CCZ, for its acronym in English) is a region in the eastern Pacific Ocean that extends approximately from the coasts of Mexico to Hawaii, with a length of about 4,500 kilometers and a width of 1,500 kilometers. It is a region of abyssal depths, ranging from 4,000 to 5,500 meters below the surface of the sea.
Besides, it is rich in polymetallic nodules, also known as a manganese nodule, is a rock formation found on the ocean floor. These nodules contain cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, and other rare metals. These nodules are of particular interest due to their potential use in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and other emerging technologies.
More than half of little-known species could be threatened with extinction
The place, then, is of great interest to the mining industry. However, it is also a reservoir of biodiversity that is now beginning to be discovered.
AN AMAZING BIODIVERSITY
In a recent studyan exhaustive compilation and analysis of more than 100,000 published records of animals found in a certain area was carried out, some of which date back to the 1870s.
Surprisingly, about 90 percent of the species mentioned in these records had not been previously described: only about 440 species had been identified, while there were about 5,100 without scientific names.
The researchers note that most of the undescribed creatures fall into the categories of worms and arthropods. However, other animals were also found in the area, such as sponges, sea cucumbers and corals, according to the study published on May 25 in Current Biology.
SO MUCH TO DISCOVER AND PROTECT
The study also highlights that many of the mentioned species have only been found in the area, which underscores the importance of establishing a baseline of biodiversity before any mining activity begins. Nevertheless, collecting data in this deep and remote area is difficult and expensive.
Furthermore, it is important to note that deep-sea ecosystems are interconnected with ecosystems at higher levels, especially through nutrient cycling. Scientists need a better understanding of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and similar areas to anticipate how mining impacts may extend to the ocean surface.
The main threats to biodiversity
Its future will probably be subject to a balance between environmental protection and economic development.
In summary, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is a deep-sea region that is rich in valuable minerals but also home to unique and fragile ecosystems.
However, despite environmental concerns, commercial interest in the CCZ is growing, fueled by demand for metals for emerging technologies.
#find #species #deep #seas #threatened