Dirty Diving -- Divers Spread Bacteria Among Coral
Posted May 26th 2006 9:53AM by Willy Volk
Filed under: Health & Medicine, Flora & Fauna, Experts
Scuba divers enjoying reefs could actually be doing more harm than good. According to Nature, diver and microbiologist Kay Marano-Briggs believes divers could be transporting coral disease from a sick reef to a healthy reef, because bacteria "stick to wetsuits like glue." Marano-Briggs found that simply rinsing and hanging a wetsuit to dry is insufficient. Rather, she and her team discovered a solution...literally. Mixing a 5% bleach solution (or a 7% Lysol solution) into a wetsuit's bath can stop the spread of harmful bacteria. The scientists plan to continue their tests and establish some "best practices" for the dive community.
Related:
BC Life Cleaner
Salclear Scubasoap
How To Care for Your BC
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