Arguably, we know more about the surface of the moon that we do about our oceans. A group of scientists and explorers with specialized diving expertise are looking to change that.
In August, a team made up of members from the Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Atlantic University, Georgia Institute of Technology and the US Geological Survey is set to explore a "blue hole" off the Gulf Coast of Florida. "Blue holes" are underwater sinkholes that open below the seabed.
In 2019, scientists gained access to a shallower hole they dubbed "Amberjack," because amberjack sharks like to congregate there. The hole sits 113 feet below the water and extends to a depth of 237 feet, about 30 miles offshore from Sarasota. There are "blue holes" all around the Florida shores, as high up as in the Panhandle area, and as low as below Naples, Culter told CNN. He and his team have visited at least 20 locations around Florida, some closer to the shore and others over 20 miles offshore."Blue holes" are hotspots of ecological diversity amid a barren sea floor, attracting marine creatures from sharks to sea turtles, to corals and sponges, and much more.
Scientists are also interested in understanding the relationship between the holes and groundwater. A USGS analysis of water samples from "Amberjack hole" revealed it contained radium and radon isotopes, present in groundwater. "Our colleague did seem to find some indications in Amberjack that there is connectivity even as far down as 60 meters ," Hall told CNN.
Diving into "blue holes" is a much different endeavor than what even the most skilled open water divers are used to, and it requires not only proficiency with cave diving, but also advanced technical certifications to go over the depth limit of 130 feet. "The addition of helium reduces both effects -- you don't have the oxygen toxicity or the nitrogen narcosis," he added.
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