Sea snow
The layer of sea snow on the bottom around Antarctica is thicker than anywhere else in the world. Marine snow is an organic material that whirls down from the upper part of the ocean. This material is extremely important to the creatures that live on the ocean floor because it is full of nutrients and energy. This food source carries important nutrients from parts of the sea that receive sunlight to the murky depths.
Another important source of nutrients for creatures on the ocean floor sounds a little less cozy than snow: krill poop. Krill are small crustaceans that play an important role in our planet’s oceans. Their droppings turn the seabed into a fertile, muddy environment that’s perfect for life.
The life that feeds on this is one of the most bizarre creatures you’ve ever seen.