Argentina Explores Its Bathyal and Abyssal Zone for the First Time Using an ROV: New Biodiversity Discoveries and Unprecedented Public Engagement

Abstract

Between July 23 and August 12, 2025, members of the scientific group Grupo de Estudios del Mar Profundo de Argentina (GEMPA) and collaborators conducted the Talud Continental IV expedition in the Mar del Plata Canyon. The expedition was conducted aboard the R/V Falkor (too) in partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), marking the first deployment of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in Argentinean bathyal and abyssal waters. The Mar del Plata Canyon was explored in 2012 and 2013 by CONICET researchers using bottom trawls aboard the R/V Puerto Deseado (CONICET, Argentina). This new expedition combined high-definition video surveys, acoustic seafloor mapping, and physicochemical water-column characterization, with in situ sensing and sampling of fauna (animal specimens, zooplankton, and environmental DNA), water, sediments, and rock to characterize biodiversity and habitats between 880 and 3900 m. The expedition revealed extensive Bathelia cold-water coral reefs, soft-coral gardens, and more than 40 species suspected to be new to science, six of which have already been formally described. Anthropogenic debris, including plastics and fishing gear, was recorded at multiple stations, reaching even the deepest sites, underscoring the extent of human influence on these environments. The Talud Continental IV expedition was successful both scientifically and in promoting deep-ocean literacy and engagement, with broad outreach conducted through SOIs outreach and community engagement programs. The Ship-to-Shore program connected scientists on board with students and educators through live interactive sessions, engaging over 900 students from 19 institutions across Argentina and the United States. The live ROV divestreams, broadcast through SOIs YouTube and Twitch platforms, reached record levels of public engagement, with [~]19 million total views by July 23rd. The national and international press responded with extensive coverage and interview requests, resulting in over 3,900 international stories. Scientists continued to engage with the public after the expedition through talks at schools and public institutions. The expeditions achievements promise to usher in a new era of scientific discovery in the Southwestern Atlantic and underscore the value of integrating exploration, conservation, and outreach to inspire wonder and curiosity about the deep-sea in society. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=179 SRC="FIGDIR/small/726651v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (138K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1457548org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@116f19aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14fbb26org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@187c3a4_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG