Abyss Box

Pandalus borealis is one of the hardy species initially chosen to be kept in the Abyss Box

Deep sea zones

The Abyss Box is a vessel containing 16 litres (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal) of water at the very high pressure of 18 megapascals to simulate the natural underwater environment of bathyal fauna living at about 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) below the surface.^[1] It is on display at Oceanopolis aquarium in Brest, France.^[1][2] It was designed by French researcher Bruce Shillito from Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris.^[3]

All the equipment maintaining the extreme pressure inside the Abyss Box weighs 600 kilograms (1,300 lb).^[1] The device keeps deep-dwelling creatures alive so they can be studied, especially regarding their adaptability to warmer ocean temperatures.^[1] Currently the Abyss Box houses only common species of deep sea creatures including a deep sea crab, Bythograea thermydron and a deep sea prawn, Pandalus borealis, which are some of the hardier species with a higher survival rate in depressurized environments.^[4] The fauna on display were collected by Victor 6000, a specialised remotely operated vehicle (ROV).^[5]

See also

• Abyssal plain
• Deep sea
• Deep sea creature
• Deep ocean water
• Submarine landslide
• The Blue Planet
• Shutdown of thermohaline circulation

References

External links

• Deep Sea Foraminifera – Deep Sea Foraminifera from 4400 metres depth, Antarctica - an image gallery and description of hundreds of specimens
• Deep Ocean Exploration on the Smithsonian Ocean Portal
• Deep Sea Creatures Facts and images from the deepest parts of the ocean
• How Deep Is The Ocean Facts and infographic on ocean depth

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