MONTEVIDEO— The veil over the deep South Atlantic has been lifted, marking a monumental milestone for Uruguayan marine science. The 'Uruguay Sub200' Expedition, supported by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, successfully concluded its 28-day exploration on September 19th, revealing the secrets of a striking deep-sea ecosystem to the world, including over 30 potential new species.
A Deep-Sea Biodiversity Hotspot Exceeding Expectations
A multinational research team comprising scientists from the University of the Republic (Udelar) and 36 scientists from five countries embarked on the research vessel 'Falkor Too' to explore the deep waters of the Uruguayan continental shelf. The expedition utilized the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) 'SuBastian' to collect samples at 23 sites and survey over 60 kilometers of the seabed, exploring depths from 200m down to a maximum of 4,100m. This exploration, the 100th for the Schmidt Ocean Institute, is praised for elevating Uruguay's marine science capabilities.
The exploration team expressed great surprise at the abundance and quality of life encountered. Alvar Carranza, a researcher at Udelar and one of the expedition leaders, shared his impression: "The richness and excellence of the life we found surprised everyone."
Massive Colony of Cold-Water Corals, a Vulnerable Species, Discovered
One of the most notable discoveries of the expedition was the confirmation of healthy, extensive, and highly biodiverse deep-sea coral reef colonies off the Uruguayan coast. Specifically, the ROV SuBastian discovered colonies of cold-water stony corals, classified as vulnerable to extinction.
One of the largest coral mounds is located at a depth of 300m, spanning an area of 1.3 square kilometers. These coral peaks reached heights of up to 40m, forming gigantic seafloor structures. This scale and complexity far exceeded the expectations of researcher Carranza, who had first detected signs of coral in underwater maps in 2010. Unlike common corals that require sunlight, deep-sea corals lack symbiotic algae and do not possess bioluminescence, yet they form a critical ecosystem serving as a habitat for countless marine organisms.
A Repository of Over 30 Potential New and Unrecorded Species
Beyond the coral reefs, the deep waters of Uruguay were confirmed as a repository for over 30 potential new species. These include sponges, snails, crustaceans, as well as iconic deep-sea creatures such as the dumbo octopus and the glass squid. Additionally, hundreds of specimens were recorded for the first time in Uruguayan waters, positioning Uruguay as a new center for deep-sea marine biodiversity.
The exploration process, including 25 dives and 194 hours of footage, was live-streamed on YouTube, garnering significant public interest with the first broadcast alone receiving 400,000 views. Researcher Dr. Leticia Burone emphasized the value of public communication, stating, "Discovering marine life changes our perception of the world."
The expedition underscores the importance of scientific investment in protecting vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems and enhancing regional capacity amid the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Given the high level of governmental interest, including a visit to the exploration vessel by Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi before its departure, these achievements are expected to provide a crucial scientific foundation for strengthening Uruguay's marine sovereignty and establishing its marine conservation policies.
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