How Are Deep-Sea Animals Getting Into Sediment Traps in Antarctica?

Abstract

A sediment trap is a tool to collect small, sinking particles in the sea. Unexpectedly, we found deep-sea animals inside four traps placed in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica. The animals were long, slim worms, sea urchins, and baby scallops. These animals do not swim, so how did they enter the traps? As this surprising finding happened mostly during winter, we think that ice may have helped them get into the traps. If enough of a certain kind of ice, called anchor ice, forms on an animal’s body, it can make the animal float. If the animal floats up to the sea ice on the ocean’s surface, it can attach and be transported as the ice moves around. When the anchor ice melts the animals are released, and they enter our traps as they sink to the ocean bottom. Future research is needed to know for sure if this is how the animals entered our traps!