From the Chinese Bathyscaphe, Striver

By Rhiannonw

Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • 75 reads
6 comments
 

Deep, deep down in the Mariana Trench
11,000 metres down, dark and cold, the pressure is immense
(like 100 adult elephants standing on your head).
Turn on the lights – they saw
drifting plankton, bioluminescent  creatures glowing
green, yellow, orange and other creatures on the floor;
7000 new microbial species found  –
and soda cans and a laundry basket
 – being attached by microbes!

What breathtaking diversity we have!

https://www.science.org/content/article/oceans-deepest-trenches-are-home...

 

Certificate U
Poem
Grand Designs
Nature

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You highligt such incredible discoveries here in your poem Rhiannon. So much life that shows just how amazing the deep oceans really are.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Yes, and it just adds to our knowledge of how adaptable and complex life has been created, and such beauty to know about. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

All life ultimately depends on sunlight, accept at that great depth, it is other things used for energy, and based on hydrogen sulphide if i'm not mistaken? You should know, Rhiannon?

The bathyscape has to be strong to withstand such immense pressure one can hardly imagine!

Keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

No, I don't know which microbes use hydrogen sulphide, but I gather that life down there is supported partly by the drifting down of organic matter eg from dead animals, and from chemicals that have been made rich in energy from hot water emitted from vents from lower in the crust. You'd have to look that up if you wanted it clearer, but that's what I think is said. It was also interesting to read of the adaptations that help the creatrues to withstand the pressures. They haven't metal exoskeletons like the bathyscaphe! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"Turn on the lights – they saw
drifting plankton, bioluminescent  creatures glowing.."

I like the way the poem pivots around the lights coming on. It makes it highly visual. I can only imagine the biodiversity at the bottom of the ocean.

An engaging vignette, Rhiannon.

[Small typo at end of first sentence: "Deep, deep down in the Mariana Trenchp"]

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, and for the typo notification! They were surprised, and so are we. How we enjoy all underwater nature beauty and variety revealed, even when not so deep down. Rhiannon