The Deep Sea Oasis
Posted by Science Oxford on November 26, 2009 | comments
In recent years scientists have been amazed by “islands” of life on the ocean floor, where deep-sea species thrive around volcanic vents. Science Oxford Live was joined by Dr Jon Copley who examined why these “islands” of life are so important, and the unexpected spin-offs from exploring the half of our planet covered by water more than two miles deep.
Jon Copley is a marine ecologist, trying to understand the patterns of life in island-like habitats beneath the waves. He works at the University of Southampton, in the National Oceanography Centre. Much of his research is focused on exploring newly-discovered “islands” of life on the ocean floor, where colonies of deep-sea species thrive around chemical sources of energy such as volcanic vents.
Watch his fascinating talk below:
What do you think?