THE DEEP SEA IS A TRULY FASCINATING REALM. IT IS AN EXPANSE OF MYSTERY, BEAUTY AND WONDER, WHICH HAS CAPTIVATED US SO MUCH THAT WE DECIDED TO CREATE A HUB FOR ALL THINGS DEEP-SEA-RELATED.
EXPLORE THE UNIQUE LIFE THAT THRIVES HERE BY READING OUR FACT FILES, WATCHING OUR SHORT FILMS, OR BROWSING THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES RELATING TO THE DEEP OCEAN. ENJOY!
The majority of communities in the deep sea ecosystem must rely on the leftovers of productivity in shallower waters - the marine snow, and sunken carrion. But at cold seeps, we find another kind of producer.
Coming Soon: Life in the Pelagic Zone
The open ocean is an entirely different world to the benthic zone of the sea floor. The endless blue stretches away in all directions, while the black abyss hangs gaping below. Currents are stronger here. There is no shelter to be found, and food is hard to come by. But all the same, a plethora of life has found ways to survive here, from the surface, all the way down into the abyss.
Coming Soon: Life in the Benthic Zone
Deep sea life must choose whether to live on the bottom, or to brave the expansive open ocean of the midwater zone. Creatures that adapt to life in the midwater zone are known as pelagic, while creatures that evolve to be well-suited to an existence on or near the sea floor, are known as benthic or demersal. These two groups could not be more different, but which is a more effective way of life?
Coming Soon: Life at Deep Sea Coral Reefs
Deep Sea Coral Reefs represent areas of astounding biodiversity. Lush cold water coral and sponge gardens thrive in the icy waters. An expanse of colourful coral structures blooming out of the sea floor, providing important habitats for deep-dwelling life. And yet, they are one of the most poorly understood of all deep sea ecosystems.
The majority of communities in the deep sea ecosystem must rely on the leftovers of productivity in shallower waters - the marine snow, and sunken carrion. But at cold seeps, we find another kind of producer.
Coming Soon: Life in the Pelagic Zone
The open ocean is an entirely different world to the benthic zone of the sea floor. The endless blue stretches away in all directions, while the black abyss hangs gaping below. Currents are stronger here. There is no shelter to be found, and food is hard to come by. But all the same, a plethora of life has found ways to survive here, from the surface, all the way down into the abyss.
Coming Soon: Life in the Benthic Zone
Deep sea life must choose whether to live on the bottom, or to brave the expansive open ocean of the midwater zone. Creatures that adapt to life in the midwater zone are known as pelagic, while creatures that evolve to be well-suited to an existence on or near the sea floor, are known as benthic or demersal. These two groups could not be more different, but which is a more effective way of life?
Coming Soon: Life at Deep Sea Coral Reefs
Deep Sea Coral Reefs represent areas of astounding biodiversity. Lush cold water coral and sponge gardens thrive in the icy waters. An expanse of colourful coral structures blooming out of the sea floor, providing important habitats for deep-dwelling life. And yet, they are one of the most poorly understood of all deep sea ecosystems.
The majority of communities in the deep sea ecosystem must rely on the leftovers of productivity in shallower waters - the marine snow, and sunken carrion. But at cold seeps, we find another kind of producer.
Coming Soon: Life in the Pelagic Zone
The open ocean is an entirely different world to the benthic zone of the sea floor. The endless blue stretches away in all directions, while the black abyss hangs gaping below. Currents are stronger here. There is no shelter to be found, and food is hard to come by. But all the same, a plethora of life has found ways to survive here, from the surface, all the way down into the abyss.
Coming Soon: Life in the Benthic Zone
Deep sea life must choose whether to live on the bottom, or to brave the expansive open ocean of the midwater zone. Creatures that adapt to life in the midwater zone are known as pelagic, while creatures that evolve to be well-suited to an existence on or near the sea floor, are known as benthic or demersal. These two groups could not be more different, but which is a more effective way of life?
Coming Soon: Life at Deep Sea Coral Reefs
Deep Sea Coral Reefs represent areas of astounding biodiversity. Lush cold water coral and sponge gardens thrive in the icy waters. An expanse of colourful coral structures blooming out of the sea floor, providing important habitats for deep-dwelling life. And yet, they are one of the most poorly understood of all deep sea ecosystems.
These cartilaginous fish are relatives of sharks, and they fulfil similar ecological niches, but in the sea floor ecosystem rather than the open ocean.
The phylum Cnidaria contains around 13,000 living species. Surprisingly simple, yet beautiful organisms, which come in a vast array of shapes and colours.
Of all the animal groups on Earth, the crustaceans are by far the most successful. They are so diverse that they are often called the insects of the oceans.
The 'Deep Sea Explained' is an anthology of films about the broader topics concerning this mysterious and otherworldly ecosystem. The videos cover information relating to deep sea ecosystems, adaptations, exploration and the environment. Accompanying articles can be found by selecting 'read' below.
In this series, we'll take a closer look at the unique creatures that have adapted in weird and wonderful ways to survive the deep sea ecosystem. Accompanying fact files can be found on the Deep Sea Hub.
Most nutrients in the deep sea are supplied by a steady stream of organic debris, known as marine snow. This is made up of dead plankton, animals, and excrement.
Occasionally, something larger appears. A whale carcass will sink to the seabed, where it will support a complex biological community for up to 50 years. Deep sea creatures gather here to make the most of the concentrated store of nutrients, from giant sharks to tiny but fascinating bacteria.
