Have you ever wondered how long you can hold your breath underwater? Well, Aleix Segura Vendrell from Spain can do it for an amazing 24 minutes and 4 seconds! This got me thinking: could people actually live underwater?
Imagine living underwater! Hurricanes and tsunamis wouldn’t bother you because you’d be safe in your deep-water house. You wouldn’t need an aquarium since fish would be swimming all around you. Plus, you could have the coolest pool parties ever, playing hide-and-seek among the corals!
But here’s the catch: humans aren’t made to live underwater. Remember how your fingers get wrinkly after a long bath? Imagine your whole body looking like that! Also, our muscles are designed for land, so they’d become weak if we stayed underwater too long.
To live underwater, humans would need to evolve a lot. Growing gills might not be enough; we’d need fins to swim better and scales to keep warm. Seeing clearly would be tough because water isn’t always clear, and it gets dark at deep depths. Plus, the pressure underwater is intense, and our bodies aren’t built to handle it.
Talking underwater would be tricky. Our ears and eyes are made for air, so we’d have to use hand signals, which would be hard in dark or murky water. Eating underwater would also be a challenge. Imagine trying to eat a hot dog at the bottom of a river!
Our skin would face a tough time underwater. It gets wrinkly because tiny bubbles form between skin layers, helping us grip things when wet. But too much time in water can break down our skin, leading to wounds and infections.
Scientists think that one day, humans might be genetically modified to live underwater. But what if we didn’t have to change ourselves? The ocean covers 71% of our planet, so why not make it a new home for future generations?
Underwater cities could be built, but not deeper than 1,000 feet due to pressure. These cities would need thick walls to withstand water pressure and be pressurized to keep people safe. Oxygen supply and air quality would be crucial, with lots of plants to produce oxygen.
Infections could spread quickly in enclosed spaces, so cities would need machines to clean and disinfect the air. Food wouldn’t be a problem, as seafood would be abundant. People could also grow salt-tolerant crops and raise shrimp and fish for food.
Scientists living in underwater colonies could study the ocean and discover new resources. The technology to build these colonies already exists, supporting up to 100 people. The main challenges are creating evacuation routes, ensuring enough air, and managing humidity.
So, while living underwater is a fascinating idea, there are many challenges to overcome. But who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll be able to call the ocean our home!
Imagine you are an architect tasked with designing an underwater city. Use your creativity to draw a blueprint of your city, considering the challenges mentioned in the article. Think about how you would provide oxygen, manage pressure, and ensure safety. Share your design with the class and explain your solutions to these challenges.
Pair up with a classmate and try to communicate using only hand signals, as if you were underwater. Create a list of messages you want to convey, such as “I’m hungry” or “Let’s explore.” Afterward, discuss what was easy or difficult about communicating without words and how you might improve your signals.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand water pressure. Fill a clear plastic bottle with water, poke holes at different heights, and observe how water flows out. Discuss how this relates to the pressure challenges faced when living underwater and brainstorm ways to overcome these challenges in an underwater city.
Work in groups to create a survival guide for living underwater. Include tips on how to adapt to the environment, what to eat, and how to stay healthy. Use information from the article and your own research. Present your guide to the class and discuss which tips are most important.
Imagine you are marine scientists living in an underwater colony. Role-play a day in your life, focusing on the research you might conduct and the discoveries you could make. Share your findings with the class and discuss how living underwater could benefit scientific research.
Underwater – Located or occurring beneath the surface of the water – Many fish and plants live underwater in the ocean.
Humans – Members of the species Homo sapiens, characterized by their ability to think and communicate – Humans have a responsibility to protect the environment and all living creatures.
Ocean – A large body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth’s surface – The ocean is home to a diverse range of marine life.
Pressure – The force exerted by the weight of water or air – Deep-sea creatures have adapted to survive under high pressure in the ocean.
Skin – The outer covering of an animal’s body that protects it from the environment – Frogs have moist skin that helps them breathe through it.
Gills – Organs that allow fish and some other aquatic animals to breathe underwater – Fish use their gills to extract oxygen from the water.
Cities – Large human settlements with buildings and infrastructure – Cities can impact the environment by producing pollution and waste.
Plants – Living organisms that typically produce their own food through photosynthesis – Plants are essential for life on Earth because they provide oxygen and food.
Seafood – Edible marine life, such as fish and shellfish, that is consumed by humans – Many people enjoy seafood like shrimp and salmon as part of their diet.
Adapt – To change or adjust in order to survive in a new environment – Animals must adapt to changes in their habitat to survive.
