Discovering a new ecosystem hidden under Antarctica's largest ice shelf

Researchers discovered the ecosystem beneath the ice at an estuary hundreds of kilometers from the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf - Antarctica's largest ice shelf, the Guardian reported on June 6.

Initially, the team only investigated the role of estuaries in the process of melting ice shelves due to climate change.

But as they drilled deep into the ice and under the river, the camera was covered with swarms of arthropods - small creatures from the same lineage as lobsters and crabs.

'For a moment we thought there was a problem with the camera, but when we changed the focus, we spotted a swarm of arthropods about 5mm in size,' said Craig Stevens, a member of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Sciences. New Zealand, said.

Shrimp-like creatures have been discovered in the river below the Ross Ice Shelf.

Mr. Stevens said it was a big surprise. 'We were very excited because finding such animals means there is an important ecosystem there.

Huw Horgan, research project leader from the University of Wellington, was the first to discover the estuary, after observing the ice trough while studying satellite images of the Ross Ice Shelf.

Previously, researchers knew of a network of freshwater rivers and lakes hidden beneath the Antarctic ice sheets, but had not yet examined them directly.

"Observing and sampling this river feels like being the first to enter a hidden world," said Mr Horgan.

He added that he has placed video cameras under the river to observe, while researchers in the laboratory will analyze what makes the river special.