Activities and the absolute unique ecosystems around the deep sea hydrothermal vents has always been a subject of curiosity and great interest for scientists.
But, such study requires the dark vent-zones to be illuminated with high-intensity floodlights, which are vehemently protested by environmentalists for causing blindness to some of the unique fauna – shrimp thriving in the regions.
But, a recent study has brought a bit of relief to the conservationists by revealing that the light may blind the species, but does not affect the Rimicaris exoculata shrimp numbers.
Thus, scientists may now conduct scientific experiments at the deep sea vents without posing immediate threat to the shrimps’ conservation.
These ocean floor fissures spew out plumes of fiercely hot, salty water, which surprisingly host some rich marine ecosystems, though apparently seems inhospitable an environment.
Though the conservation group WWF seeks Marine Protected Area status for some hydrothermal vents, for their illuminations’ causing structural and potentially permanent damage to the shrimps’ vision, Dr Jon Copley, an oceanographer from the University of Southampton and an author of the new study, defying the claim said,
If lighting was a problem to the shrimp, then we would expect to see a decline in their population, either in the area covered by the shrimp population or the actual population density of the shrimp.
The new finding, thus, has bolstered the scientists’ hopes that the rich diverse ecosystem as well as the mineral-rich make-up at the pitch-black vents will soon provide clues on how life started on Earth, without any interference or the conservationists and environmentalists.
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