Biodiversity study of the deep-sea ecosystems in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

The aim of the work was to study some deep-sea bottom communities of the Far Eastern seas of Russia using a remotely operated underwater vehicle.Materials were the data of underwater video and photo profiling, as well as direct sampling, performed in 2011–2013, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021.As results, an extensive array of new data on the composition, structure, and patterns of distribution of deep sea biota has been obtained. A primary description of the benthic communities of the Gamovsky Canyon (Sea of Japan), cold seeps of the Deryugin Basin (Sea of Okhotsk), and Piip underwater volcano (Bering Sea) has been prepared. Some features of the composition and structure of communities are revealed, and vertical zonality is described.Practical value: the results can be used in the development of environmental protection measures and measures of rational nature management in the waters of the Far Eastern seas of Russia and in areas of potential development of deep-sea mineral resources in the ocean.