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| You'll learn how to depths of more than 18 meters live and work underwater laboratory Aquarius, researchers, the world's only current manned underwater laboratory, located off the coast of Florida. |
On this photo taken on Nov. 15, 2010, approaching submarine underwater laboratory Aquarius. The laboratory is a metal construction, securely attached to the seabed near a large coral reef, located a few kilometers from the island of Key Largo on the coast of Florida.
Preparation for entry into the laboratory "Aquarius" via a special gateway. The laboratory belongs to the federal agency within the Ministry of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Scientists working in the lab "watch " for 10 days, during which they live, eat, sleep in a room the size of a school bus. In "Aquarius" only six beds and a shower. With the outside world slum laboratory connects wireless communication, in addition, there is a telephone and computers.
Mark Hay, Doctor of Biology of Georgia Institute of Technology during his mission to "Aquarius". He is faced with the task of developing methods of protection from extinction of most animal species that inhabit the reef. The emergence of the laboratory, "we are not just from time to time to visit the reef, we can live directly on it, " says Mark.
From the Laboratory offers a breathtaking underwater views. For example, the window may look yellow clown fish, while the nearby hunting toothy barracuda. "We like being in an aquarium on the contrary - an air bubble from the windows" - says Saul Rosser, head of the laboratory.
Similar to the pinnacle of the white building near the lab - a toilet. The inhabitants of "Aquarius" come to the shore before him, and standing defecate, breathing with the air of a special air pocket. In this case, all the waste straight float away into the ocean.
Dr. Hay's team built a large underwater cages similar to this in the center of the image, in order to run there different kinds of herbivores underwater inhabitants. "It is important not just to plant herbivores on the reef, but also respect their right relation. If there is not even the same species, it quickly flies to hell "- says Dr. Hay.
Pressure on the Aquarius higher than normal atmospheric pressure on the bank.Therefore, fizzy drinks, which scientists are brought here, almost no foam at the opening, while, as tins of food, jars of nuts like this, deformed under high pressure. Also changes the timbre sounding voice, and whistling in the denser air laboratory is much more difficult than on land.
One of the inspection holes of Aquarius, which today represents the only active undersea laboratory.
Researchers snare to catch fish for their experiments. Dr. Hay and his colleagues are caught parrot fish and fish-surgeons, who are put into cells.
Over the next 10 months, researchers plan every 6 weeks to check the health of coral within the cells of different species of fish. "By manipulating a few key fish species, we can help the reef to survive" - says Dr. Hay.
During the past to go beyond the laboratory, scientists have a hard time closing up the holes in the cells. When the fish was first placed in a cage, she falls into depression. This attracts sharks and other predators such as moray eels (see photo). Murena can pierce the cell like a rocket "- says Dr. Hay.
