Part of the Argentine team that first discovered chemosynthetic ecosystems in the Argentine Sea returns to explore them, now using the technology of the now-famous SuBastian. It can dive to depths of up to 4,500 meters and its objective will be to collect water, sediment, rock, and benthic fauna samples.
In addition to SuBastian, scientists use the advanced instrumentation aboard the Falkor (too) for acoustic mapping through multiple probes, as well as instruments specially developed for the campaign, such as a high-volume environmental DNA sampling device.
A total of 25 scientists are part of the voyage, 17 of whom are Argentine. Under the motto “Life in the Extremes,” it allows for a live streaming view of some of the planet's least explored underwater landscapes, inhabited by organisms that feed on gas seeps from the ocean's depths: chemosynthetic ecosystems.
The team of scientists, led by biologist María Emilia Bravo, a researcher at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), is exploring various points in the Argentine Sea until January 10, 2026, according to the Argentine News Agency.
The Argentine University's Information Service on Science, Technology, and Scientific Policy explains that methane gas seeps from the seabed create environments harmful to most forms of life. However, there are microorganisms and animal species adapted to survive there and even consume the chemical energy produced through the microbial reduction of these gases.
In this way, without sunlight and photosynthesis, these biological communities find their sustenance in so-called “cold seeps,” the methane escapes from the ocean floor. What thrives are these highly specialized bacteria and an extreme benthic fauna, composed of tube worms, chemosynthetic clams and mussels, and other animals capable of tolerating and even benefiting from the characteristics of these ecosystems.
The remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) provided by the SOI will perform 15 dives.
