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Why is a dead sea called dead?

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Last reviewed: 20.10.2021
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When you ask yourself the question: why is a dead sea called dead? Before the eyes stand the footage of the horror film. But everything is much simpler. As is known, the Dead Sea is one of the most saline reservoirs on the planet. One liter of lake lap contains more than 270 grams of salt fractions. For comparison: in the World Ocean this figure is kept at the figure of 35. In Hebrew the name of this reservoir sounds like Yam and meleh - Sea of salt or Sea - the killer is an exact description.

A large volume of sodium chloride (HCl-chemical formula of the sodium salt) significantly increases the density characteristics of water. Until recently, it was believed that living in such an environment is simply not possible, in the waters of the Dead Sea, neither animals nor fish survive. Once in concentrated salt water - it instantly dies. Only certain types of microorganisms are able to survive there.

In the process of the evolution of the Earth after multiple faults and shifts of the earth's crust, the deepest stone bowl was formed in the place of the present lake, where all the nearby rivers began to flow, falling into a trap. Climatic features of the terrain, with its high temperature characteristics, for many centuries made the water evaporate, leaving salt deposits.

Fishes of the Dead Sea

According to scientific sources, the studies conducted, the analysis of water and sediments of the coastal and bottom zones confirm the absence of living forms. Academic science says that there is a limited number of subspecies of bacteria that can comfortably feel in such an environment.

But recent studies have flashed a sensation about the existence of a dead sea fish, which manages to live where others can not.

Pearly aphanyus (Aphanius dispar). The species of these fishes in the wild is widely represented in the waters of the Red and Mediterranean Seas, the Persian Gulf, the waters of rivers and lakes of the Arabian Peninsula. Athanius - a small fish, only about seven centimeters. Has a strong, elongated, round in section, body. The thickness is about one and a half centimeters. The color of the individual depends on the place of its habitation. The dominant color varies from bluish-brown to silver-blue. The front part of the body is splayed. Closer to the tail part of the point, merging, form bands of blue color, crossing the body vertically.

The fins of the dorsal and anal parts are somewhat elongated. The caudal fin has a classical shape with two to three strips of dark blue. An interesting fact - in a stressful situation, mother-of-pearl Afanius loses color and becomes almost transparent.

The subspecies living in the brine of the Dead Sea is called A. Dispar richardsoni. The range of its habitat is exclusively on the west coast of the reservoir, where the rivers make maximum fresh water recharge. Due to this, the degree of salt concentration in the water of this area is close to the saturation level of ordinary sea water. Here are found some species of algae, which serve as food for fish.

If you want, you can arrange fishing. For this purpose, a net for catching carp (from fishing line, with small cells) will do. The seine is stretched across the current. Pearly aphanyus is considered to be edible fish, and is served in small Israeli restaurants as an exotic tourist destination. The meat is fat and brackish. It has no special healing properties, but phosphorus, minerals and microelements are rich.

If you want to see and try this miracle - hurry !!! Scientists predict that in 60-75 years with such climatic anomalies the Dead Sea will disappear from the face of the Earth.

Thinking about the question: why is a dead sea called dead? Involuntarily, you yourself come to the conclusion that the reason that gave birth to this miracle of the world is Salt - now you are ready to destroy it!

trusted-source[1], [2], [3]

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