The Chinese submersible Fendouzhe made a groundbreaking discovery, recording a unique cluster of living organisms at a depth of about 10 kilometers in the Mariana Trench — the deepest place on Earth. This is the first-ever discovery of a biological colony at such an extreme depth, as reported in the journal Nature.

What did scientists discover?
During an expedition conducted in the western Pacific Ocean, Fendouzhe identified a colony composed of tube worms, mollusks, sea cucumbers, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. These organisms live in conditions previously considered nearly uninhabitable: total darkness, temperatures around 1–2 °C, and pressure 1,000 times higher than at the surface.

The key to their survival is chemosynthesis. Unlike photosynthesis, which uses sunlight, these creatures obtain energy from chemical substances such as methane and hydrogen sulfide released from cracks on the ocean floor. This discovery confirms that life can thrive even in the harshest conditions, where there is no light and minimal availability of organic matter.

How did the expedition take place?
Fendouzhe completed 23 dives in the Mariana Trench, whose deepest point — the Challenger Deep — reaches 10,984 meters. Scientists aboard the vessel collected samples and data for further research. The craft is equipped with advanced cameras and instruments, which made it possible to record life at depths once thought to be nearly sterile.

Researchers note that such chemosynthetic communities may be far more widespread than previously assumed. Similar ecosystems are likely to exist in other deep-sea trenches such as Tonga or Kermadec, warranting further exploration.

Significance of the discovery
The detection of a colony at a depth of 10 km redefines our understanding of the limits of life on Earth. Scientists emphasize several key takeaways:

  • Adaptation to extreme conditions: The organisms of the Mariana Trench show incredible resilience, expanding our understanding of biological capabilities.
  • Analogs of extraterrestrial life: Chemosynthetic ecosystems resemble those that may exist on Jupiter’s moon Europa or Saturn’s moon Enceladus, where oceans with chemical energy sources are believed to lie beneath icy crusts.
  • Ecological significance: Deep-sea communities may play an important role in oceanic nutrient cycles, influencing global biogeochemical processes.

Research prospects
The discovery raises new questions about the distribution of deep-sea ecosystems. Scientists plan to study how these organisms interact with each other and with their environment, as well as to investigate the genetic mechanisms behind their adaptations. The data collected by Fendouzhe will be analyzed in laboratories to uncover the biochemical processes underlying chemosynthesis.

In addition, the finding highlights the importance of preserving deep-sea ecosystems, which may be vulnerable to resource extraction or climate change. Researchers hope future expeditions will broaden our knowledge of life in extreme conditions — and its potential beyond Earth.

Conclusion
The discovery of the deepest colony of living creatures in the Mariana Trench at a depth of 10 km is a historic event confirming life’s incredible resilience. Tube worms, mollusks, and crustaceans that rely on chemosynthesis open new scientific frontiers, from biology to astrobiology. The Fendouzhe expedition demonstrated that even the harshest corners of the planet can be full of life, and further research may uncover even more secrets of the ocean depths — and possibly of space.