Deep-sea Arctic sponges feed on fossilized organisms to survive
The sponges, some over 300 years old, eat the remains of critters from at least 2,000 years ago
The densest group of Arctic sponges found to date (some pictured) feeds on fossilized animals beneath the sponges, explaining how this large ecosystem survives in the harsh conditions of the deep Arctic Ocean.
Alfred-Wegener-Institut, PS101 AWI OFOS system, Antje Boetius