Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Marine Life

The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It
Helen Scales, Jul 2021, Grove/Atlantic
Themes: nature, ecosystems, marine life, oceans, deep seas

Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher’s Extraordinary World
Craig Foster & Ross Frylinck, Nov 2021, Mariner-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Themes: nature, marine life, ecology

Whether exploring the deepest oceans or learning about life from sea creatures, new works of nonfiction are examining the natural world in new ways.

THE BRILLIANT ABYSS takes readers on a voyage of discovery revealing the mysteries of the deep ocean. Scales’ rich narrative shares fascinating information about the bizarre creatures and diverse ecology increasingly threatened by pollution, mining, and climate change.

UNDERWATER WILD examines the marine science and incredible adventures that led to the award-winning documentary MY OCTOPUS TEACHER. Through stunning photos and engaging narrative, readers learn about the authors, their personal relationships, and the sea creatures that inspire them.

Let’s explore seven timely take-aways for life-long learners:


1) Deep-diving submersibles and other new technologies have opened up a “golden era for deep-sea exploration”. While scientists have detailed maps of the moon, much of the world’s deep seabed mountain ranges remain a mystery. A 2019 study suggests that large areas of the deep seafloor aren’t rocky. Instead, they’re covered with mud that’s one to six or more miles deep.
2) Recently, photographers captured 347,000 deep sea creatures and only 1 in 5 was previously known. These creatures thrive in extreme conditions. The diversity of life in the Pacific deep sea is immense.
3) Animal illuminations have led to some surprising adaptations among life in the deep. While some creatures have adapted by making light, others have evolved ultra-black skin packed with melanin.
4) The sea is warming much more rapidly than anticipated. This heat is flowing much deeper than anticipated. The melting ice caps are reducing the salinity of the seawater.
5) Every ocean has hydrothermal vents containing endemic creatures that thrive only near these vents. These ecosystems flourish because of chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.
6) In addition to climate change, plastic pollution and deep sea mining are other concerns. Deep sea sediments are filled with micro plastics that are consumed by marine life. Of particular note is the long range impact of tailings from mines.
7) From observing pyjama catshark reproduction to tracking otters, each individual creature plays an important role in the ecology of the sea. No creatures are insignificant. Simple observation shows the complexity of marine life.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb