Scientists Solve Mystery of NOAA 'Golden Orb' Found in Deep Alaskan Waters

The enigmatic 'golden orb' that captured the attention of scientists and the public alike after its discovery in the deep waters off Alaska in 2023 has finally yielded its secrets. Researchers operating a remote vehicle for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) encountered the unusual, mound-shaped object, distinguished by a hole and its striking golden hue, attached to a rock at a depth of approximately 3,250 meters in the Gulf of Alaska.

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strange, golden, mound-shaped object with a hole in it

What initially appeared to be a baffling anomaly has, after an intensive two-and-a-half-year investigation involving multi-layered studies, been identified. Scientists have determined that this peculiar golden mass is, in fact, the remnant of dead cells forming the base of a giant deep-sea anemone, specifically identified as Relicanthus daphneae. The process of reaching this conclusion was far from straightforward, requiring a convergence of expertise across various scientific disciplines.

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We work on hundreds of different samples and I suspected that our routine processes would clarify the mystery. But this turned into a special case that required focused efforts and expertise of several different individuals. This was a complex mystery that required morphological, genetic, deep-sea, and bioinformatics expertise to solve.

Zoologist Allen Collins of NOAA Fisheries' National Systematics Laboratory described the challenge, noting that while he initially suspected routine processes would suffice, the 'golden orb' presented a unique case demanding focused efforts and specialized knowledge. Solving this complex mystery necessitated a combination of morphological, genetic, deep-sea, and bioinformatics expertise. The NOAA Fisheries and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History collaborated, employing an integrative taxonomic approach that merged physical structure analysis with detailed genetic investigation.

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fibrous material

Further examination revealed the object was not an animal itself but rather a "fibrous material" encrusted with stinging cells, known as cnidocytes, characteristic of corals and anemones. Specifically, the presence of spirocysts indicated it belonged to the Hexacorallia class. Initial DNA barcoding attempts were inconclusive due to the object being heavily colonized by other microscopic organisms. However, whole-genome sequencing provided the breakthrough, showing the specimen was genetically almost identical to Relicanthus daphneae, a species of cnidarian first described in 2006. The 'golden orb' is now understood to be a cuticle, a protective, sheet-like coating secreted by certain anemones, which detaches and rests on the seafloor. The sheer abundance of microorganisms on the orb suggests it may serve as a micro-habitat, supporting microbial life as it breaks down the decaying tissue. As NOAA Ocean Exploration acting director William Mowitt stated, "So often in deep ocean exploration, we find these captivating mysteries... With advanced techniques like DNA sequencing, we are able to solve more and more of them." This discovery underscores the vastness of the unknown in our oceans and the power of scientific inquiry to unlock its secrets.

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genetically almost identical