Mystery of the ‘Golden Orb’ Found Two Miles Deep on Ocean Floor is Finally Resolved
Good News Network • • science
Key Points:
- In 2023, NOAA researchers discovered a mysterious "golden orb" over 2 miles deep in the Gulf of Alaska, sparking curiosity and speculation during their Ocean Exploration program.
- After two-and-a-half years of investigation involving morphological, genetic, and bioinformatics analyses, scientists identified the orb as remnants of dead cells from the base of a giant deep-sea anemone, Relicanthus daphneae.
- Initial DNA barcoding was inconclusive due to contamination, but whole-genome sequencing and mitochondrial genome analysis confirmed the orb's genetic match to the known anemone species.
- The discovery highlights the complexity and patience required in deep-sea research, emphasizing that many ocean mysteries remain and advanced techniques like DNA sequencing are crucial for solving them.
- NOAA continues to explore the deep ocean to uncover its secrets, which have implications for economic growth, national security, and environmental sustainability.
