Hawaii Rich In Marine Biodiversity Despite Barren Ocean Landscape Surroundings, Study Reveals

A recent study shows that the off coast of the Big Island of Hawaii has an astonishing and unusual rich deep-sea ecosystem. This puzzles the federal researchers as the ocean waters of Hawaii are surrounded by barren ocean landscape.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration together with the researchers stated that the abundance of sea life sampled in a certain stretch of water off the Big island points of a thriving deep-sea habitat. They spotted the ocean waters with ample of fish that includes dragonfish, sawtooth eels and several mysterious deep-sea creatures, according to Maui News.

The researchers are looking for the reason of the thriving of the marine life in the waters. This is because much of the ocean surrounding Hawaii is among the least productive water in the Pacific, according to Jamison Gove, the lead researcher and a NOAA oceanographer.

Four new #algae species discovered in Hawaii's deep waters https://t.co/197yRAEk0B #ocean pic.twitter.com/kGD3jmNiRD

— Dave Riddell (@tentillum) February 3, 2016

University of Hawaii News reported that the biologists theorized that Hawaii was an evolutionary graveyard for marine fauna including the other marine creatures for 30 years. On the other hand, with the new research, the marine biodiversity of Hawaii is radiating back across the ocean. They are spreading their genes and adapting to new environments.

So, what could be the reason of the so much productivity in the waters of Hawaii now? The researchers believe that part of the reason for the thriving of marine creatures is because of the way the seafloor dramatically rises as it reaches the island. They said that it brings nutrients up and generating food for a wide range of sea life.

The team also discovered that surface slicks, which are the narrow, glassy channels of water that are visible in the coastal ocean waters, produce an "oasis in the desert." They pull together marine creatures such as baby sea turtles, young reef fish, coral larvae, plankton and other sea creatures. On the other hand, these slicks also collect plastic and land debris that could be harmful to the marine creatures.

The Conservation International and the University of Hawaii also conducted an expedition in Hawaii Islands. They said that the areas are also rich in marine diversity for the same reasons. "There will always be the unexpected when you go into the deep ocean," said Greg Stone, the lead scientist of the expedition.