The Abyss Box is a vessel containing of water at the very high pressure of 18 megapascals to simulate the natural underwater environment of bathyal fauna living at about below the surface. It is on display at Oceanopolis aquarium in Brest, France.Hannah Hoag, Wired Magazine, 06.19.12 ABYSS BOX DISPLAYS DEEP-SEA ANIMALS UNDER PRESSURE It was designed by French researcher Bruce Shillito from Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris.Jennifer Welsh, Deep Sea Life On View in 'Abyss Box' NBC News, 2/21/2012
All the equipment maintaining the extreme pressure inside the Abyss Box weighs . The device keeps deep-dwelling creatures alive so they can be studied, especially regarding their adaptability to warmer ocean temperatures. Currently the Abyss Box houses only common species of deep sea creatures including a deep sea crab, Bythograea thermydron and a deep sea prawn, Pandalus borealis, which are some of the hardier species with a higher survival rate in depressurized environments.The age of Aquarius: Inner space is almost as hard to explore as outer space The Economist, March 31, 2012 The fauna on display were collected by Victor 6000, a specialised remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
See also Abyssal plain Deep sea Deep sea creature Deep ocean water Submarine landslide The Blue Planet Shutdown of thermohaline circulation
References
External links Deep Sea Foraminifera – Deep Sea Foraminifera from 4400 metres depth, Antarctica - an image gallery and description of hundreds of specimens Deep Ocean Exploration on the Smithsonian Ocean Portal Deep Sea Creatures Facts and images from the deepest parts of the ocean How Deep Is The Ocean Facts and infographic on ocean depth