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Scientists began the first detailed study of extensive abyssal basin in Portugal with size large canyon.
Using the British robot ISIS, specialists for the first time can examine the creation, which live at the five-kilometer depth in the canyon To nazare, reports BBC News. Cavity stretches from the coastal Portuguese city To nazare, which is located to the north of Lisbon, to the eastern part of the Atlantic. Canyon has already long ago been been registered on the maps, but never before it did not undergo detailed study. Robot ISIS is deep water apparatus with size the automobile van, equipped with powerful video cameras. The descent of robot was accomplished from onboard of British research vessel "James Cook", where was placed control center of apparatus.
The first surprise the scientists encountered, as soon as ISIS was immersed at the depth into 3,6 kilometers - there it were revealed shark, although so deeply these predators were encountered never. On the walls of canyon, under the hanging edges of gigantic rock, the researchers examined cold-water corals. Device even delivered to the surface several models of the forms of the underwater life, with study of which now deal biologists.
According to the professor the arc Of messona from the national oceanographic center, before beginning studies scientific association was divided into two camps: on those, who assumed that the canyon of this depth will prove to be biologically active section, and on those, who considered that the cavity can be only underwater desert. As it was explained now, were right both groups: in some sections biological activity is the same, as on the coral reef, while on others prevail sandy dunes without the least it is indicative life. But, it goes without saying, underwater landscape is much more active how it was assumed earlier. Marine biologist, professor pol Tayler, call this expedition chance to obtain the base data about the underwater peace of canyon, which will make it possible to estimate the influence of climatic changes.
According to the scientist, today on the Earth there are no places, which would be protected from the global warming. After the end of expedition in the canyon To nazare the scientists will leave to the coast of Ireland, where with the aid of robot ISIS they will investigate oceanic depths. More lately it is planned to neglect an also whole series of scale projects, indeed up to the present moment specialists investigated less than 5% world ocean.