International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 111-119 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 112 directions for deep-sea scientific research and future exploration, and promote humankind's sustainable exploration of this unknown field. 1 Advances in Deep-Sea Exploration Technology 1.1 Application of remotely operated unmanned vehicle (ROV) The development of science and technology has made progress in the field of deep-sea exploration particularly significant, especially the application of remotely operated unmanned vehicles (ROV). ROV technology allows scientists to conduct detailed observations and studies of the deep-sea environment without diving directly (Hudson et al., 2005). These equipment are equipped with high-definition cameras, sensitive control arms and various scientific research instruments, enabling precise operation and data collection in extreme deep-sea environments (Correa et al., 2015). In the hydrothermal vent area of the deep Arctic Ocean, scientists used ROV to discover a new tubeworm species. These tube worms can survive in extreme environments with no sunlight and high sulfide concentrations, relying on a symbiotic relationship with bacteria to obtain energy from chemicals. This discovery not only enriches people's understanding of the diversity of deep-sea ecosystems, but also provides new clues to the origin and evolution of life. Through high-definition videos and pictures taken by ROV, scientists can intuitively observe the living habits of these creatures, providing valuable direct evidence for the study of deep-sea biology. 1.2 Deep sea drilling and sampling technology Advances in deep-sea drilling and sampling technology have opened up new paths for the study of deep-sea biodiversity. These techniques allow scientists to obtain rocks, sediments and other geological samples directly from the deep sea bottom, which contain important information about early life forms on earth. Taking the deep-sea drilling project “Deep Sea Life Exploration” as an example, scientists successfully drilled core samples from the depths of the South China Sea, which contained a large number of fossils and DNA of ancient microorganisms. By analyzing these microbial remains, researchers discovered several previously unknown microbial species that demonstrate the adaptability and diversity of life in extreme conditions. These deep-sea drilling technologies also reveal the complexity of microbial communities in deep-sea sediments (Mu et al., 2017), providing important information about the history of life on Earth and biogeochemical cycles. 1.3 Application of gene sequencing technology The application of gene sequencing technology in deep-sea biological research has greatly accelerated the identification and classification of new species. By extracting genomic DNA from individual cells, scientists can quickly identify species of deep-sea organisms and analyze their genetic information. During an exploration in the Mariana Trench, researchers discovered an extremely pressure-tolerant single-cell organism. By genetically sequencing it, they found that this organism has a unique set of genetic codes that allow it to survive extreme conditions. Survive under pressure (Kumar et al., 2018). This discovery not only challenges people's understanding of the limits of life, but also provides a new perspective for studying the adaptation mechanisms of organisms in extreme environments. Gene sequencing technology has also revealed the complex evolutionary relationships among deep-sea organisms, providing new clues for understanding the evolution of life. 2 Review of the Discovery of New Marine Species in the Early 21st Century 2.1 Overview of new species discovered: number, distribution and types The widespread use of equipment such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and deep-sea drilling, providing scientists with access to A pass to the most inaccessible areas on Earth. Since 2001, scientists have described more than 5,000 new marine species in deep-sea environments around the world, including tubeworms endemic to hydrothermal vents, according to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), a variety of unknown crustaceans, and some strange deep-sea fish and molluscs, through research and discovery of the diverse survival strategies of new species that adapt to the extreme environments of the deep sea. These new species have been discovered at different depths and geographical locations across the oceans (Figure 1), from cold-water coral reefs and deep-sea mud bottoms to extreme hydrothermal vents and cold seep areas.
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