Now Reading: Deep-sea crustacean uses aluminium shield to survive Mariana Trench
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Deep-sea crustacean uses aluminium shield to survive Mariana Trench
Deep-sea crustacean uses aluminium shield to survive Mariana Trench
Scientists have discovered how the amphipod *Hirondellea gigas* survives the crushing pressure of the Mariana Trench, nearly 11,000 metres deep. A study published in *PLOS ONE* found the shrimp-like creature secretes a…
The Story in Brief
Scientists have discovered how the amphipod *Hirondellea gigas* survives the crushing pressure of the Mariana Trench, nearly 11,000 metres deep. A study published in *PLOS ONE* found the shrimp-like creature secretes a gel containing aluminium that coats its exoskeleton, preventing calcium carbonate from dissolving under pressure. The aluminium is extracted from seafloor sediments using gluconic acid produced by the animal.
Researchers collected specimens from the Challenger Deep, the ocean’s deepest point, where pressure exceeds 1,000 atmospheres. When the aluminium coating was removed, the shell dissolved rapidly. The compound also protected salmon roe in lab tests, suggesting potential applications. This is the first known instance of aluminium being used as a natural structural component in a crustacean.
The Indian Opinion
This discovery is a reminder of nature’s ingenuity, but some coverage has exaggerated its immediate relevance. Headlines implying a ‘super crustacean’ with alien-like powers miss the point: the adaptation is specific to extreme depth and pressure, not a general survival trick. The real marvel is the biochemical pathway, gluconic acid extracting aluminium from sediment, which could inspire materials science, but no practical application has emerged yet. Let’s wait for peer-reviewed replication and potential engineering spin-offs before calling it a revolution. A key test will be whether this mechanism can be harnessed in synthetic coatings for deep-sea equipment.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
