OAS_What Could Go Wrong? Lesson
It seems like if anyone ever asks that question, then something will immediately go wrong.
Seriously. Think about it. We can't even breathe under the ocean. But now we want to go way down there and collect some stuff?
What about the pressure that comes with going under the surface of the ocean? And it's so dark!!!! Oh, and let's not forget about all the creatures down there!
Exploring the ocean's mysteries is no small feat and comes with its fair share of challenges. The ocean covers a massive portion of our planet, and a significant part remains uncharted territory. While studying land is relatively straightforward, diving into the ocean's depths requires careful planning and specialized equipment. One of the first hurdles is simply the fact that humans can't breathe underwater. So, any scientific expedition must provide a means for researchers to breathe while submerged.
Scientists employ SCUBA diving gear for shallower depths, allowing them to explore the ocean physically. However, as we venture deeper into the ocean, we encounter a different challenge—crushing pressures.
With every 33 feet of descent, the pressure increases by an additional atmosphere (14.5 pounds per square inch). At the deepest parts of the ocean, the pressure is over a thousand times that at the surface, enough to crush most living things and equipment. Thus, any equipment designed for ocean exploration must be built to withstand these immense pressures.
The ocean's abyssal depths are icy and dark, with temperatures hovering around freezing. If researchers plan to journey below approximately 1500 meters, they need to design equipment capable of functioning in these frigid conditions and ensure that occupants, if any, stay warm. Exploring the deep ocean is like entering a pitch-black world, as sunlight can only penetrate the ocean's upper layers. Submersibles and equipment must be equipped with powerful lights to see anything and capture valuable videos and images.
Watch the following video: Cold Water Diving: Going to Extremes for Research.
Furthermore, much of the ocean's most remote areas are far from land, requiring the use of specialized research vessels to launch missions. However, these vessels are subject to the whims of weather and waves, often leading to the cancellation of missions due to dangerous conditions.
The technology required for ocean exploration is both advanced and expensive. Additionally, it must be powered, either through very long cables delivering power to research vessels or onboard power sources capable of sustaining the entire journey. Lastly, the corrosive nature of seawater means that equipment must be made of materials that won't rust or corrode when left underwater for extended periods.
Considering all these challenges, it's no wonder that only a handful of individuals have ventured to the deepest part of the ocean—the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. Advanced technology, including buoys, coring devices, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and human-occupied vehicles (HOVs), plays a crucial role in ocean exploration, helping scientists overcome these challenges and unlock the secrets of the deep. Additionally, satellites orbiting the Earth provide valuable insights into our oceans from space, adding another dimension to our understanding of these vast waters.
When exploring or researching the ocean, many issues arise, including temperature, available oxygen, light, weather conditions, and finances. To overcome these issues, ROVs, HOVs, satellites, and buoys are used to collect data and continue our exploration of oceans.
UP NEXT: Oceanography as a Science - What's the Point?
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