Is there life in the Dead Sea? Interesting facts about Lowest Point on Earth

For centuries, the Dead Sea has been a mystery to both ordinary people and scientists alike. Strictly speaking, it’s not even a sea, but a landlocked saltwater lake located between Israel and Jordan.

The name “Dead Sea” comes from the fact that no fish, animals, or birds can survive in it due to the extremely high salt concentration. Or at least, that’s what was believed for many years. However, life does exist in it – it’s inhabited by oomycetes (mycelial organisms) and higher fungi, the existence of which has only recently become known.

The “age” of the Dead Sea is estimated in millions of years. It formed at the bottom of an ancient fault, where not only liquid accumulated but also organic remains and minerals. Currently, the reservoir is divided in half by an artificial causeway, which appeared in 1977, into two separate basins.

There is a prophecy that the Dead Sea should become fresh. Scientists assure that such a thing is indeed possible. And some of them go even further – according to their opinion, the process of desalination has already begun, as new sources have been discovered in certain deep areas.

Floating Phenomenon

The Dead Sea is also known for its buoyancy. Because of its high salt concentration, it’s nearly impossible to sink in its waters. In fact, individuals can effortlessly float on the surface without any effort.

The unique composition of minerals found in the Dead Sea, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bromine, is believed to have therapeutic properties. Many skincare and cosmetic products utilize these minerals for their purported benefits in promoting skin health and treating various skin conditions.

Due to its hypersaline nature, the Dead Sea has few organisms capable of surviving in its waters. However, some extremophiles, such as halophilic archaea and bacteria, thrive in its extreme conditions. These microorganisms play a crucial role in the ecosystem by contributing to nutrient cycling and decomposition processes.

The salt formations along the shores of the Dead Sea create mesmerizing landscapes, characterized by unique geological formations and salt crystals. Visitors to the area are often captivated by the surreal beauty of the salt-encrusted terrain, which provides a stark contrast to the surrounding desert landscape.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, were found in caves near the Dead Sea between 1947 and 1956. These ancient manuscripts, dating back over two millennia, contain religious and historical texts, including the earliest known copies of the Hebrew Bible.

Interesting facts about the Dead Sea:

1. No Fish: Due to its high salinity, the Dead Sea cannot support aquatic life like fish or plants.
2. Evaporation: The Dead Sea has no outlets; water only leaves by evaporation, leaving behind large amounts of salt and minerals.
3. Climate: The area around the Dead Sea has a hot desert climate, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F) in the summer.
4. Sinkholes: The shrinking of the Dead Sea has led to the formation of sinkholes along its shores, posing a danger to the surrounding area.
5. Biblical Reference: The Dead Sea is referred to as the “Salt Sea” in the Bible.
6. Therapeutic Tourism: People from around the world visit the Dead Sea for its therapeutic properties and unique experience.
7. Dense Air: The region has dense air with high oxygen content, which can be beneficial for people with respiratory issues.
8. Unique Ecosystem: Despite the harsh conditions, some microorganisms and algae have adapted to survive in the Dead Sea.
9. No Outflow: Unlike other seas, the Dead Sea has no outlet, so water only leaves by evaporation.
10. Salt Sculptures: Natural salt formations create stunning sculptures along the shoreline.
11. Surrounding Mountains: The Dead Sea is flanked by the mountains of Moab to the east and the Judean hills to the west.
12. Salt Harvesting: Salt is still harvested from the Dead Sea for various uses.
13. Unique Flora: Certain plants have adapted to the saline conditions and thrive near the Dead Sea.
14. The salt concentration in the Dead Sea reaches 310% (310 grams of salt per liter of water). For comparison: the salinity of the Baltic Sea is 7%, the Azov Sea 11%, the Black Sea 18%, and the Mediterranean Sea 39%. However, the Dead Sea is not the saltiest in the world; there are saltier bodies of water, such as Lake Assal in eastern Africa.
15. The salty waters and mud have a powerful healing effect on the human body: they help with joint pain, restore the nervous system, and have a positive effect on the respiratory organs. That’s why there are so many popular resorts along the Dead Sea – tourists from all over the world flock there for health purposes. In addition to health benefits, they are attracted by the natural beauty: mountains, salt pillars, and grottoes.
16. If liquid from the Dead Sea gets into your eyes, it will be far from pleasant – the sensations of the affected person resemble a jellyfish sting on the face, causing a burning sensation and profuse tears.
17. The water level in this reservoir decreases by 1 meter every year, according to research. This is due to the rising temperature, which causes evaporation. Hypothetically, if the situation does not change, the reservoir may completely dry up in 50 years.
18. According to biblical legend, the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located on the shores of the Dead Sea. And the absence of flora and fauna is considered God’s punishment for their wicked deeds.
19. Despite the very salty waters of the Dead Sea, the main source of its replenishment is the freshwater Jordan River. Interestingly, streams and other arteries only flow into the reservoir, but none flow out of it.
20. The shores of the Dead Sea are an excellent place for sunbathing. Due to the additional layer of evaporated salt in the atmosphere, it’s practically impossible to get sunburned there, and the tan is even and beautiful.
21. Some salt crystals growing on bridges and piers are so sharp that you can injure yourself on them. Therefore, tourists are not advised to walk barefoot there. It’s better to enter the water wearing sandals.
22. Swimming in this sea is very difficult; due to the density of the salts, the water restricts movement and makes it difficult to swim. By the way, the impossibility of drowning is a myth. In fact, the Dead Sea ranks second in the ranking of the most dangerous swimming places in Israel.
23. Special particles are extracted from the waters of the Dead Sea, which ancient Egyptians used for mummification. If you look closely, you can see the compounds used to prepare the balsamic composition with the naked eye – it’s the black substance at the bottom. It’s often called natural asphalt. From time to time, pieces of it can even float to the surface.
24. The area around the Dead Sea experiences high seismic activity. Submarine tremors are regularly recorded, but they are so weak that they can only be felt with special instruments.