New microorganisms discovered in the depths of the ocean This video (https://bit.ly/3qYPJYb) shows a "pasture" of holothurians (sea cucumbers) grazing at the bottom of the Atacama Trench, near 8060 meters. This is the most dense collection of holothurians I have ever seen in a Hadal Trench, showing the large volume of life in this deep ocean ecosystem. https://pic.twitter.com/fDHBC3IY0j --- Continued our dives in the Atacama Trench yesterday with Dr. Ruben Escribano of Chile. Dove to ~7,200 meters near the Richards Deep, witnessing growths of ultra-deep ocean coral, Elpidids Peniagone (the small animals), and unknown colors (bacterial matting?) on rock outcroppings. (https://bit.ly/3iUe8tx) https://pic.twitter.com/ouM7PuCeEK --- Completed the 1st human descent to the bottom of the Atacama Trench with Dr. Osvaldo Ulloa of Chile. Preliminary maximum depth of 8062m. Extraordinary marine life observed: very many holothurians, rock faces showing chemosynthesis, and the largest bacterial tendrils I've seen. https://pic.twitter.com/7IZEyyoAQ4 (https://bit.ly/3qSmtT6)