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Antarctica's Mysterious Waters: How Deep Is the Ross Sea?
The Ross Sea, an area of water located in Antarctica, has been one of the southernmost seas on Earth since it was first discovered by British explorer James Clark Ross in 1841. This sea area is located between Victoria and Mary Byrd areas. It has deep waters with an average depth of 500 meters, far exceeding the average depth of most other oceans.
The flow in the Ross Sea is dominated by wind-driven ocean circulation and is strongly influenced by three submarine ridges.
The boundaries and area of the Ross Sea region are defined by the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, covering an area of 637,000 square kilometres, making it a vast marine ecosystem. The water currents in this sea area are mainly driven by external climate factors, especially the seasonal winds and flows in Antarctica, and its marine environment is extremely variable. The gyre is powered by the deep waters of Antarctica, which are rich in nutrients and provide the conditions necessary for the survival of marine ecosystems.
Biodiversity and Ecological Protection
The Ross Sea is renowned for its rich biodiversity, with at least ten mammal species, six bird species, 95 fish species, and over a thousand invertebrate species. Birds in the sea, such as Adélie penguins and emperor penguins, have become an important part of the ecosystem.
This area of sea is considered by marine biologists to be one of the most biologically diverse oceans on Earth.
The depth and unique environment of the Ross Sea make it a hotspot for many scientific studies, where scientists conduct marine biology and climate research. As the impact of climate change and human activities becomes increasingly serious, environmental organizations have made long-term efforts to protect this area and promote its establishment as a world marine protected area.
Environmental threats and fisheries
However, the development of fisheries, especially commercial fishing of Antarctic toothfish, has increased the threat of human activities to this fragile ecosystem. As the fishery has grown, the number of toothfish in McMurdo Sound has reportedly declined significantly, and there are signs that the number of predators that seek out these fish, such as killer whales, has also decreased.
A 2016 international agreement designated the Ross Sea region as a marine park, protecting more than 1.5 million square kilometers, making it the largest protected area in the world at the time.
In 2016, the Ross Sea was thrust back into the global spotlight with the signing of an international agreement that gave the Lucas Sea basin new protections. However, the marine park's validity is still subject to a 35-year time limit, which does not meet the International Union for Conservation of Nature's definition of a permanent protected area.
The Importance of Scientific Exploration
The geology and ecological environment of the Ross Sea are of great value for understanding global climate change and biological evolution. Scientists have explored the deep ecology of the ocean through various research projects, including the Cape Roberts Project and the ANDRILL Project, and conducted core analysis on underground rocks, which has given them a deeper understanding of the formation and evolution of this ancient continent.
Years of research have shown that the Ross Sea's hydrological cycle and its unique geological structure are important windows for ecological research.
Finally, we can't help but ask, as human activities increase, how will the future of the Ross Sea affect this precious marine ecosystem?
