Arctic census reveals surprises

The Arctic may not be quite so troubled as some advocacy groups would have us believe.

According to the unprecedented "Census of Marine Life" released by a four-country team of scientists yesterday, the isolated, frigid waters on the top of the planet are teeming with creatures of many persuasions. "The Ice Oceans abound with life," notes the inventory compiled by researchers who spent a month above the Arctic Circle, returning with thousands of specimens including octopus, squid, cod, snails, jellyfish, clams and shrimp.

The "historic" event, the report states, "revealed a surprising density and diversity of Arctic Ocean creatures, some believed new to science." The 24 researchers from the United States, Canada, Russia and China were understandably enthusiastic.

"The density of animals is much higher than expected," said marine ecologist Bodil Bluhm of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF). "It now appears possible to confirm that the rich biodiversity surprising deep-sea explorers worldwide exists as well in deep Arctic waters."

How deep? The research team, journeying aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy, investigated depths of up to 11,000 feet using a remotely operated underwater probe, a camera platform and -- yes -- nets and traps.

Sheltered below ice up to 60 feet thick, the extreme but remarkably calm depths was virgin territory -- no human had ever set eyes on them. The explorers included under-ice scuba divers manning video cameras, but still tethered to the surface for safety.

Marine scientist Russ Hopcroft credits modern technology for the breakthrough findings. "The few explorers in this area before us had no adequate tools to collect or see these creatures," he says.