But there’s still so much we don’t know about how deep reefs affect coastal areas—they’re full of mystery and excitement!
This deep reef can only be explored by humans with the help of a mini-submarine! Unlike military submarines that are limited to 2,600 feet, mini-subs are designed for scientists to discover deep-sea life. The deep ocean is dark and has very little food, making it a tough place for humans to survive. On top of that, the intense pressure would crush any land creature like a soda can! But fish have a special molecule in their bodies called TMAO (trimethylamine oxide) that helps them live this deep. And guess what? The deep sea, and possibly even the deep reef, is home to some of the biggest animals in the world, like sharks, squids, and even whales! This phenomenon is called "deep-sea gigantism." Could this mean the legendary sea monster, the Kraken, might actually be real?!
Depth, temperature, oxygen and light. Humans are merely visitors in the ocean. We aren't built to stay long underwater, especially while submerged. The cold temperatures and high salinity make even living at the surface challenging. One thing I always have to think about is whether I'm drinking enough water to replace what the ocean draws from my body. At greater depths, pressure would crush you, and the cold temperatures would limit how long you could stay down. This is why scuba divers wear wetsuits or drysuits to stay warm and protected.
