The Harsh and Extreme Conditions of the Deep Ocean
The deep sea is the darkest region of the ocean, where sunlight fades to blackness and plants cannot grow. It covers more than half the planet, and encompasses nearly 98% (by volume) of all living space on Earth.
The harsh and extreme conditions of the deep ocean-crushing pressure, corrosive salt water, and freezing temperatures have made deep sea exploration nearly as challenging as space exploration, and nearly as infrequent.
Until recently the deep ocean was thought to be almost completely unproductive, not worthy of a "special trip". But today with the aid of modern research equipment, scientist, biologist, and archeologist are beginning to understand the enormous variety and quantity of life down there.
The majority of distant observation of the deep sea depends on manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) carrying various cameras and recording instruments. In development are autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) which are capable to roam on their own and return to the surface occasionally for fuel and maintenance. They transmit their information to satellites, which beams back to laboratories on land. Even though there are remarkable advance in deep sea technology over the last 20 years, most of the deep remains unexplored. This is because only a handful of submersibles can dive depths greater then 3300 feet – and 60% of the ocean is more than 5,000 feet deep. It is believed it won’t be long until we can dive extra depths to see and learn more.
Deep sea exploration is important for us as we depend on the deep sea for food and other important resources. A growing amount of gasoline we use to fuel our cars comes from oil reserves located deep beneath the sea. In addition to this, scientists are using ingredients from deep sea organisms to produce new medicines to fight diseases. It is hope that we can all benefits from these resources in the future. Hence, it is important for each one of us to protect and conserve the deep sea today.
The harsh and extreme conditions of the deep ocean-crushing pressure, corrosive salt water, and freezing temperatures have made deep sea exploration nearly as challenging as space exploration, and nearly as infrequent.
Until recently the deep ocean was thought to be almost completely unproductive, not worthy of a "special trip". But today with the aid of modern research equipment, scientist, biologist, and archeologist are beginning to understand the enormous variety and quantity of life down there.
The majority of distant observation of the deep sea depends on manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) carrying various cameras and recording instruments. In development are autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) which are capable to roam on their own and return to the surface occasionally for fuel and maintenance. They transmit their information to satellites, which beams back to laboratories on land. Even though there are remarkable advance in deep sea technology over the last 20 years, most of the deep remains unexplored. This is because only a handful of submersibles can dive depths greater then 3300 feet – and 60% of the ocean is more than 5,000 feet deep. It is believed it won’t be long until we can dive extra depths to see and learn more.
Deep sea exploration is important for us as we depend on the deep sea for food and other important resources. A growing amount of gasoline we use to fuel our cars comes from oil reserves located deep beneath the sea. In addition to this, scientists are using ingredients from deep sea organisms to produce new medicines to fight diseases. It is hope that we can all benefits from these resources in the future. Hence, it is important for each one of us to protect and conserve the deep sea today.