American scientists have discovered a new deep-sea creature known as the 'ice worm' in the Gulf of Mexico. This flat, pink parasitic worm, measuring between 2.5 to 5 centimeters in length, has 12 legs on each side, covered with fine bristles. They were found 150 nautical miles south of New Orleans, at a depth of 600 meters, and have been named 'ice worms' by researchers.
Ice worms inhabit transparent solid methane hydrate mounds formed under high pressure and low temperature conditions at the seabed, created by a combination of water and natural gas. The surface of these mounds resembles ice and is highly flammable, explosive, and toxic. Scientists had long suspected the presence of unknown microorganisms on these hydrate mounds, but the existence of such animals in this highly toxic environment was unexpected.
The discovery of ice worms not only enhances our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems but also provides new insights for studying the formation and potential exploitation of seabed hydrates.
