Today’s edition of the news roundup brings you discoveries from the sea.
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Oceanographers from the University of Georgia revealed an unexpected 600 mile-long deepwater biogenic reef off the mouth of the Amazon. They have brought up samples along its length, mapping a variety of ecosystems. One reason no one expected to find a reef there is because it is deep and dark, the topmost portions 50 meters down where light rarely penetrates. Coral reef builders require sunlight for their photosynthetic endosymbionts, which is why living corals are shallow enough to snorkel over.
The published report describes the bulk of the reef’s builders to be “turned off” but the legacy structure, deep now after changes in sea level, provides a substrate for a diverse series of ecosystems that include sponges, brittle stars, tubeworms, urchins, and many fish.
The other reason a reef was considered unlikely here is that the Amazon River constantly pours out tons of sediment and fresh water, both reef killers. Evidently the fresh water stratifies, staying on top of the oceanic saltwater for the most part, and the extreme currents blow the sediment away from the reef so the creatures there are not smothered. Coralline algal species continue to build on the reef, though at a much slower rate than coral animals and the overall diversity of the deep reef is lower than shallow coral reefs, but this gigantic structure provides a refuge for many species. It’s also an important nursery for juvenile fish and lobster. Unfortunately, the Brazilian government has sold 80 leases for oil-drilling in the area, two of which are active directly on top of the newly discovered reef.
If you missed these two recent terrific news items, enjoy the good news x2.
- Xwe'chieXen, otherwise known as Cherry Point near Bellingham Washington, will NOT be the new Gateway Pacific Terminal, where coal companies were planning to export shiploads of coal to Asia, sending them through the narrow channels, sharp reefs and swift currents of the Salish Sea, endangering the rich ecosystem there. The Lummi Tribe has Treaty standing, and along with other groups, made the case that their fishing grounds would be threatened by the mammoth project. The Army Corps of Engineers rejected an essential permit on May 9.
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Oregon State University researchers say they are seeing many more juvenile seastars now than expected, very hopeful news after two years of a virulent epidemic decimated seastar populations along the Pacific coast of North America. In the absence of seastars, especially Pisaster ochraceus, which is considered a critical keystone species, the number of gooseneck barnacles, usually preyed upon by Pisaster, has skyrocketed. Other observations reported by the OSU team: “(1) Sea stars that were continuously submerged, such as those in tidepools, had a higher rate of the disease than sea stars on rocks outside of tidepools where periodically they were above water and (2) Adult sea stars are much more likely to be affected by sea star wasting disease than juveniles, which may be because of longer exposure or some other factor."
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The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
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Sunny today in the Pacific Northwest Islands. Low tides lately have been exposing a few seastars, mostly adults who have survived the epidemic. Whelks are laying thousands of eggs, and nudibranchs are spawning.
All nature observations are welcome in the comments below. Tell us what you’re seeing in your own natural neighborhood, in your part of the world.
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