One hundred years ago, the Titanic sank 3.800 meters into the deep.
It took over 70 years for the wreck to be discovered by ocean explorer Robert Ballard. Since then it has faced many research explorations, tourism and natural erosion due to metal eating bacteria.
The explorer himself wants to invest in a new coat of paint applied by deep sea robots to protect the historical wreck.
On the ocean floor today, Titanic is at the mercy of several processes.
For one thing, the once 270-meter-long ship is a sprawling feast for marine organisms. Mollusks have consumed much of Titanic‘s wood—leaving the metal hull to microscopic bacteria and fungi.
As the microbes eat away, they form self-contained, icicle-like biological communities called rusticles. Those communities have already accumulted tonns of rusticles on the surface of the ship. Ballard believes that corrosion-inhibiting “antifouling” paint, which is generally used below the waterline on ships, would be meant to preserve the wreck in its current state for as long as possible.
It is yet unsure if plan will be realised in time to viably keep the legendary wrack in tact.
That was very interesting Sophia, I’d like to see the Titanic left to its own fate it is a grave site after all, and it would be incredibly expensive to try and preserve what’s left now. It was a really great idea to tie in the 100th fact with the hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the liner though.
Thanks Jimmy, now I’ve got your email address…. There will be so much marine biology SPAM!!