Prior to the 19th century scientists assumed life was sparse in the deep ocean. The three main sources of energy and nutrients for deep sea communities are marine snow, whale falls, and chemosynthesis at hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. Since the 19th century however, research has demonstrated that significant biodiversity exists in the deep sea. Because of the unique challenges (particularly the high barometric pressure, extremes of temperature and absence of light), it was long believed that little life existed in this hostile environment. Deep sea communities remain largely unexplored, due to the technological and logistical challenges and expense involved in visiting this remote biome.
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