Abyss Box

The Abyss Box is a vessel containing 16 litres (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal) of water at the very high pressure of 18 megapascals to simulate the natural underwater environment of bathyal fauna living at about 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) below the surface.[1] It is on display at Oceanopolis aquarium in Brest, France.[1][2] It was designed by French researcher Bruce Shillito from Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris.[3]

Pandalus borealis is one of the hardy species initially chosen to be kept in the Abyss Box
Deep sea zones

All the equipment maintaining the extreme pressure inside the Abyss Box weighs 600 kilograms (1,300 lb).[1] The device keeps deep-dwelling creatures alive so they can be studied, especially regarding their adaptability to warmer ocean temperatures.[1] Currently the Abyss Box houses only common species of deep sea creatures including a deep sea crab, Bythograea thermydron and a deep sea prawn, Pandalus borealis, which are some of the hardier species with a higher survival rate in depressurized environments.[4]

See also

References
  1. Amos, Jonathan (18 February 2012). "'Abyss Box' to keep deep animals". BBC News.
  2. Hannah Hoag, Wired Magazine, 06.19.12 ABYSS BOX DISPLAYS DEEP-SEA ANIMALS UNDER PRESSURE
  3. Jennifer Welsh, Deep Sea Life On View in 'Abyss Box' NBC News, 2/21/2012
  4. The age of Aquarius: Inner space is almost as hard to explore as outer space The Economist, March 31, 2012
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