Aleutian Islands Yield Three New Organisms

The University of Alaska in Fairbanks reports that some of its research divers have discovered potentially three new marine organisms in the waters off of the Aleutian Islands.

The Aleutians are part of Alaska, in the far North Pacific Ocean. They stretch to the west, pointing towards Japan. In fact, during World War II Japan invaded some of the islands as a diversion, just before the Battle of Midway, in which Japan disastrously lost four aircraft carriers. The fighting in the Aleutians, however, took many months to conclude, in bitterly cold weather. Pollutants left over from the war, like unexploded bombs and other ordinance, have their effect. The study is being conducted in part to gauge their effect on the environment, as well as on other sea borne pollutants that make their way even into this remote area.

During World War II the islands were also a stop off point for American bombers making their way to the Soviet Union, at that time our ally against Germany and Japan. Even now, the islands house part of the United States' missile defense system.

The remote location of the islands makes discovery of unknown forms of life more likely than in well surveyed areas. This year the divers covered the western islands, while last year's dives explored the eastern regions. There are more than 1000 miles of coastline to be explored. They are cold, wind swept and not heavily populated. Divers took many samples of tissue and water, and will spend a long time analyzing the results. More new species might emerge as those studies are done.

Two sea anemones that are unknown to scientists were discovered. They are large, and of the swimming or walking type, moving across the bottom in search of food.

Also discovered is a species of kelp, which can grow up to ten feet, or algae, christened "Golden V Kelp," scientific name Aureophycus aleuticus. Mindy Lindberg, an expert on algae, explains that this might be a "New genus, or even family, of the seaweed." It was discovered near the Islands of the Four Mountains, close to thermal vents. The islands are the home of many volcanoes.

Studies are ongoing to determine exactly how to categorize the anemones and the kelp.

In 440 dives, the researchers spent more than 300 hours under the sea.

Another goal of the studies is to test for radioactive chemicals. There were, from 1965-1971, during the Cold War, subsurface nuclear tests made near Amchitka Island.

By all accounts, the experience of diving in the Aleutians is a vivid one, with colorful life forms visible in very clear, cold water.

Divers Find New Species in Aleutians, University of Alaska, Fairbanks