In a landmark achievement, Chinese researchers have mapped the world's first comprehensive portrait of the ecosystem in the Mariana Trench, Earth's deepest oceanic realm. This groundbreaking study challenges the long-held belief that such extreme environments are lifeless wastelands.
Published in the journal Cell on Friday, the research reveals a thriving community of microbes and animals uniquely adapted to crushing pressures, near-freezing temperatures, and perpetual darkness. These findings open up potential breakthroughs in biotechnology and environmental science.
The team utilized the domestically developed manned submersible Fendouzhe, which reached the trench's formidable 11,000-meter depth in 2020. Over the course of the mission, scientists collected and analyzed more than 1,600 microbial specimens and identified 11 distinct fish species, significantly expanding our understanding of deep-sea life.
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China unveils groundbreaking insights into Earth's deepest ecosystem
cgtn.com
