Biologists have discovered 5,578 different deep-sea species – of which an estimated 88 to 92 per cent are entirely new to science – in a huge region in the Pacific Ocean that is soon to become a mining hotspot.
The study identified a variety of previously unknown species in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), including a sea cucumber, a nematode, and a carnivorous sponge.
An area about twice the size of India – the CCZ – has already been divided up and assigned to companies for future deep-sea mining.
A team of biologists has built the first “CCZ checklist” by compiling all of the species records from previous research expeditions to the region and publishing their findings in Current Biology.
“We share this planet with all this amazing biodiversity, and we have a responsibility to understand it and protect it,” said Muriel Rabone, a deep-sea ecologist at the Natural History Museum London.
Spanning six million square kilometres from Hawaii to Mexico, the CCZ is one of the most pristine wilderness regions in the world's oceans.
To study it, researchers went to the Pacific Ocean on research cruises that used sampling techniques from the technical – such as remote-controlled vehicles on the ocean floor – to the simple, such as a sturdy box that lands on the bottom, called “box-core sampling”.
“It's a big boat but it feels tiny in the middle of the ocean," Ms Rabone said. "You could see storms rolling in; it's very dramatic.
“And it was amazing. In every single box-core sample, we would see new species.”
By studying more than 100,000 records of creatures found in the CCZ taken during these deep-sea expeditions, Ms Rabone and her co-authors found that only six of the new species found in the CCZ – which include a sea cucumber, a nematode, and a carnivorous sponge – have been seen in other regions.
They also found that the most common types of animals in the CCZ are arthropods (invertebrates with segmented joints), worms, echinoderms (spiny invertebrates such as sea urchins), and sponges.
“There's some just remarkable species down there," Ms Rabone said. "Some of the sponges look like classic bath sponges, and some look like vases. They’re just beautiful.
“One of my favourites is the glass sponges. They have these little spines and under the microscope, they look like tiny chandeliers or little sculptures.”
The team has stressed the importance of increasing cohesive, collaborative and multidisciplinary research in the CCZ to gain a deeper grasp of the region’s biodiversity.
They also underline the importance of learning more about the newly discovered species and how they are connected to the environment around them.
They urge researchers to delve into the biogeography of the region to better understand, for example, why certain species cluster in particular geological regions.
“There are so many wonderful species in the CCZ, and with the possibility of mining looming, it’s doubly important that we know more about these really understudied habitats,” Ms Rabone said.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass
Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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