Advancing Deep-Sea Knowledge in the South Atlantic
Post-Cruise Impact – Life in Extremes: Cold Seeps of Argentina
In February 2026, Chief Scientist María Emilia Bravo (CONICET-University of Buenos Aires) led Life in Extremes: Cold Seeps of Argentina aboard RV Falkor (too) – a transformative expedition documenting deep-sea benthic ecosystems along the Argentine margin.
Operating with Schmidt Ocean Institute and using ROV SuBastian, the expedition generated integrated biological, physical, and geochemical baseline data from both the water column and seafloor. The goal: to better understand ecosystem distribution, structure, functional roles, and connectivity across key South Atlantic margin systems.
A remarkable diversity – and early warning signs
The cruise uncovered a previously undocumented diversity of deep-sea ecosystems in Argentine waters, many of high conservation value. Cold-water coral reefs, sponge fields, and canyon communities revealed complex ecological structure in one of the least explored regions of the South Atlantic.
At the same time, the team documented evidence of anthropogenic impact, including debris recovered from depths of 2,640 metres – a powerful reminder that even remote ecosystems are not insulated from human activity.
These findings strengthen the scientific foundation needed for evidence-based governance and precautionary management in deep waters.
Training and international collaboration
Beyond discovery, the expedition demonstrated the growing capacity of Argentine scientists to conduct ecosystem-based deep-sea research aligned with global best practice.
Students received hands-on, at-sea training, laying foundations for continued professional development and long-term expertise within the region. The cruise also reinforced international collaborations, positioning the South Atlantic as an active contributor to global deep-ocean science.
“Being part of Challenger 150 represents an opportunity to contribute from the South Atlantic to a truly global effort to understand and protect the deep ocean. For our team, it means visibility, integration, and shared responsibility within an international scientific community working toward transformative, inclusive, and science-based ocean stewardship.” – Dr. María Emilia Bravo
From expedition to impact
The team will now continue:
Training students and early-career researchers
Conducting outreach at university fairs and public events
Producing printed dissemination materials
Hosting a national workshop in October with expedition participants and international collaborators
Sustained support – including equitable access to infrastructure, data integration, and funding pathways – will be critical to ensuring that research from under-explored regions continues to shape global deep-ocean efforts.
Through Challenger 150, work in the South Atlantic contributes to a coordinated, inclusive scientific foundation for sustainable ocean governance – ensuring that knowledge generated locally informs decisions made globally.
This story forms part of the Challenger 150 Post-Cruise Impact series, sharing reflections and discoveries from expeditions contributing to the goals of the UN Ocean Decade.