A group of scientists drilled deep into the Antarctic ice earlier in the month and found a “lost world” beneath the Ross Ice Shelf. The scientists deployed a special hot-water drill for the task of cracking almost half-a-mile of the ice coat. According to the scientists, it is the furthest south where fishes have known to thrive.
On January 16, some scientists lowered cameras to about 740 meters below the surface of the ice-covered Antarctic. To their surprise, they discovered a thriving world of sea-creatures even in such weather conditions. The scientists found an ecosystem of fish, as well as other water-life thriving beneath the ice sheet. Until now, the presence of any life-forms was not known in the extreme south.
Northern Illinois University’s researcher, Ross Powell, has been engaged in these particular environment types for a long time. He said that despite the difficulty involved in exploring the system, he had always been keen on investigating it. He said that the scientific importance of the system has always intrigued him. Powell is among Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling (WISSARD) project’s chief scientists.
Powell explained that unexpected findings like these help in understanding the ice sheet dynamics. They help gain further insight into the interaction of the ice sheet with ocean and sediment. He emphasized that such findings are key to the establishment of the structure of the ecosystem. Powell believes that these findings could contribute significantly to delayed gratification.
The evidence of life-form so far away from the sun’s reach has surprised scientists worldwide. In this context, Louisiana State University’s microbiologist, Brent Christner, raised a relevant question. He claimed that at such a place, there must be a shortage of food and these marines would be finding it really difficult to sustain energy levels. Although scientists are still investigating the matter, they suggest that fishes could be depending on planktons for food.