Marine group focusing on the GIANT TUBE WORM

We decided on having a closer look at the one of the mysterious creatures living deep down below the surface of the high seas: the Giant Tube Worm. At an average depth of around 2000 m below sea level, it survives without sunlight and is only found in the highly toxic environment of hydrothermal vents*, protected by the tube it builds around itself and supported by bacteria living inside of its body. These bacteria feed on the chemicals from the vent fluids and produce sugar which they supply to its host. This way, the Giant Tube Worm can not only stand the extrem conditions that surround but actaully depends on them.























* Hydrothermal vents are the result of vulcanic activity. Cold seawater enters cracks in the seafloor and is heated by hot magma. The vent is formed when the hot fluids reemerge to the sea.