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Ocean Ecosystems: The Abyssal Zone Biome
12
The ABYSSAL Zone
Rikki Haley
Prevalence,
Climate Change Impact,
Hydrothermal Vents,
& Creatures of the Deep Sea
Enter the
ABYSS
Prevalence of the Abyssal Kingdom
The Abyssal Kingdom is the largest biome for life on Earth
Prevalence
- Abyssal Zone covers approximately 300,000,000 sq. km (about 60% of the global surface and 83% of the oceans and seas
- Known as the abyssal-pelagic or "The Abyss"-derived from the Greek Word meaning "Bottomless Sea"
- 3/4 of the ocean lies within this zone
- Abyssal Plains are largest and most common in the Atlantic Ocean, less so in the Pacific, and even more rare in the Indian Ocean
FUN FACT:
-The deepest part of the ocean is called "The Challenger Deep", located in the southern end of the Mariana Trench of the western Pacific Ocean
Human Impact
Human Impact
Nodule Mining
- This form of mining is defined as "collecting deep sea minerals" that have solidified due to immense pressure and extremely cold temperatures. These "rocks" contain precious metals and minerals that have fallen to the abyssal zone from other zones of the ocean
Mining Sulfur Vents
- This form of mining involves "scraping" sulfur, phosphorus, and other metals from the sides of underwater ridges as well as vents
Chemical Pollution
- Terrestrial chemicals such as PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) as a result from deep sea mining has been found in the tissues of animals residing in the abyssal zone
- Studies have shown that these toxic organic compounds have high prevalence in the deep sea but not to the extent of wiping out deep sea populations. Continuous exposure and "build up" is predicted to have more of a negative impact if not controlled
Nodule Mining
Mining Equipment
Climate Change
- The deep sea environment is highly sensitive to change i.e. shift in pH
- It is documented that 1/4-1/3 of CO2 released by humans have been absorbed in the abyssal zone of the ocean, often absorbed by the water itself and turning to particulate which impacts pH and dissolved oxygen levels.
- The deep ocean (in closer proximity to the Earth's core) is one of the greatest mitigators of climate change, with a role in absorbing heat from the core and CO2
- With a consistent rise of temperature, not only is the ecosystem itself at risk but permanent ocean shifts have the potential to occur
Climate Change Diagram
Hydrothermal Vents
- Prevalent mostly in areas of the abyssal plain with high tectonic activity (Vents formed due to subduction)
- Emitted water can be clear, white, or black with white and black indicating high mineral concentration
- Specialized bacteria around vents feed on sulfur compounds and form thick sheets as they multiply for other organisms to feed
- These specialized bacteria are the foundation of the deep sea food web, benefiting deep-sea mussels, giant tube worms, yeti crabs, and many other invertebrates and fishes (organisms have established equilibrium with the high temperature vent environment)
Creatures
Creatures
- Deep sea creatures have adapted to this bizarre ecosystem without the help of photosynthesis
- Some have acclimated to the immense temperature emitted from hydrothermal vents (records at approx. 720 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Food source for these deep aquatic organisms consist mainly of bacterium and "ooze" or mud on the seafloor rich in organic compounds from pelagic organisms that sink to the bottom after death
- Organisms have adapted to withstand total darkness, except for those with bioluminescence (non-solar light) as well as massive amounts of pressure and extreme temperatures
- Temperatures in the deep are between -1 degree Celsius and 4 degree Celsius
FUN FACT
--Because of it's salinity, water of the abyssal plain cannot freeze unless at -1.8 degrees Celsius.
Gulper Eel
Gulper Eel (Pelican Eel)-Eurypharynx pelecanoides
Fast Facts:
- Most notable feature is it's massive mouth with hinged jaw (capable of consuming fish much larger than itself). Ironically, they mostly feed on small crustaceans despite their capabilities of consuming large prey
- Length: up to 2.5 ft long
- The tip of their tail is actually a complex organ with several attached tentacles and glows pink
- Despite deep sea conditions, they have two tiny eyes above their snouts, and are used to detect faint traces of light (likely other bioluminescent creatures in the deep)
Giant Tube Worm
Giant Tube Worm (Riftia Pachyptila)
- Fluorish in sulfide-rich environments (such as hydrothermal vents)
- Tough, chitonous tube that can grow up to 3 meters long
- Symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic bacteria (Bacteria enters their "mouth" to find the worm's feeding sac or trophosome, where bacteria converts sulfiric compounds into food for the worm)
- The worm has no mouth, eyes, or stomach (they have adapted to form a "mouth" possible for bacteria to enter however)
Giant Isopod
Giant Isopod
- An aquatic crustacean closely related to shrimp and crabs
- Can be up to 2.5 ft long from head to tail, but are most typically 7.5-14.2 inches in length
- Carnivores: eat dead animals remains that fall to the ocean floor from the Benthic realm
- Four sets of jaws, adapted to cut/tear at prey
- Live in a constant state of semi-hibernation: food is scarce, therefore evolution has granted them a slower metabolism and the ability to "hibernate" regularly to limit energy expenditure
- 2 widely-spaced, compound eyes with a reflective layer known as a "trapeum" that glows when light reflects back through the retina (like cats!)
Sources
Sources:
Into the Abyss: SCIENTISTS explore one of Earth's deepest ocean trenches. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2021, from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=131038
Human activities are taking their toll in the deep ocean. (2017, June 11). Retrieved April 28, 2021, from https://www.climatecentral.org/news/human-activities-toll-in-deep-ocean-21527
Lockwood, D. (2016, June 20). PCBs and other organic pollutants reach the deep ocean. Retrieved April 28, 2021, from https://cen.acs.org/articles/94/web/2016/06/PCBs-organic-pollutants-reach-deep.html
Jamieson, A., Malkocs, T., Piertney, S., Fujii, T., & Zhang, Z. (2017, February 13). Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the deepest OCEAN FAUNA. Retrieved April 28, 2021, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-016-0051
Deep hydrothermal vent. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2021, from https://oceana.org/marine-life/marine-science-and-ecosystems/deep-hydrothermal-vent