the depths of ocean harbor a treasure trove of surprising discoveries, one of which, recently discovered, is a rather exotic creature that has become a 17,000-year-old living relic.
In the mysteries of the South China Sea, more than 1,000 meters below the surface, scientists have found this wonder that sheds light on the history of our planet. Learn more about this fascinating discovery below!
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A Monorhaphischuni, part of the Hexactinellida class, is more than just a sea sponge. She is a silent witness to the history of Earth, a survivor of millennia that plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.
These ancient creatures filter salty ocean water, feeding on plankton, bacteria and nutrients, and their presence has a profound impact on seawater chemistry.
(Image: M. Roux/University of Reims/reproduction)
This peculiar sponge sports a stem called a spicule, which can extend up to three meters. Anchored to the ocean floor, this stem is a key to understanding the marine organism's past.
Scientists were astounded to discover that the spikelet's rings carry with them the history of oceanic ages, just as a tree's rings carry memories of time.
Spiculeus rings are not just a marker of time for a sponge, but a record of the planet's past climate.
To discover the incredible age of this species, the researchers focused on silicon isotopes in the rings, which indicate the end of the last Ice Age. Among the findings of the observation is the finding that these rings contain 12% more silica than in current rings.
This discovery reveals an intriguing puzzle from the past. One possibility is that winds and rivers brought more silica into the ocean at that time.
Or, the ocean more efficiently recycled silica due to changes in currents and the way diatom algae were processed after death.
This complex dance of factors could have led to an increase in the production of diatoms – tiny algae that convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon. This, in turn, could have reduced the CO2 atmospheric, leading to cooler weather when the world was warming up.
the journey of Monorhaphis chuni it's not just a story about a sponge, but rather a stunning reminder of how nature and climate are intertwined.
In this wonderful account of the ocean floor, we learn about the complex dance between ocean, atmosphere and life that has shaped our planet over millennia.
