The Dead Sea is not dead.

[Magus]

Link (http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/10/01/diving-expedition-finds-new-life-in-the-dead-sea/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+80beats+%2880beats%29&utm_content=Google+Reader)


[VIDEO]

Israeli and German scientists recently took the plunge into the murky, salty Dead Sea, making what they say is the first scientific diving expedition there. Scouring the seafloor, they saw small freshwater springs—with mats of salt-loving, never-before-seen microorganisms coating the surface of nearby craters. In these waters—too salty for large animals, too rich in magnesium for many bacteria—seeing so much life was a surprise.

While floating in the Dead Sea is a popular tourist pastime, scuba-ing into its depths is a difficult and dangerous endeavor. Since the salty water is so buoyant, the divers had to carry 90 pounds each to weigh them down. Swallowing some of the salty water—a not-implausible occurrence during a dive—would make the larynx swell up, leading the diver to suffocate. If that weren’t enough, getting the water in your eyes would be painful at best, and potentially blinding. The scientists wore full face masks during their dive, and apparently weren’t scared off; they’re headed back down for a follow-up study in October.

Life Is Poetic.

[Aldurin]

Is there a cure for cancer in there? That seems like the logical direction of research now.

[TDK]

Wear goggles and don't swallow the water? That doesn't sound particularly dangerous, as scuba-diving goes.

[Ecks]

I think it's more the risk involved. I mean, how many times have you been wearing goggles and then have the damned things come off? Sure, past a certain point the pressure will keep the mask on. Never been scuba diving before though, so I can't really say too much about it.

[Nique]

is it.. saltier at the bottom? How do regular people not die just floating on the top if it's that dangerous.

[Aerozord]

is it.. saltier at the bottom? How do regular people not die just floating on the top if it's that dangerous.

cause they are on the surface, floating that much you kind of have to go out of your way to get it in your eyes or mouth. Even if you do you can make your way out.

The other issue is the pressure. The water is even more dense, so rapidly going in or out is more dangerous.

Probably is saltier at the bottom too, saltier water is more dense so it would make sense

[batgirl]

It's actually really awesome. I've been "swimming" aka "floating" in the Dead Sea twice, and you really literally float. We actually pushed someone to see how far towards Syria he would float before someone made him come back.

Also, if you have any cuts on your body, it burns like no tomorrow. And yes, I have gotten some in my mouth and yes, it tastes like a giant salt lick.

[Magus]

The Dead Sea is also pretty deep, I think? It's one of the deeper lakes, I think...