Update on Aquarius Undersea Lab Funding

Unfortunately, funding for the world’s only underwater lab is being cut.  The Aquarius Reef Undersea Laboratory has been beneath the surface for almost two decades, and was previously funded by NOAA.  Now, the government has cut its $3 million annual funding.

The lab has running water, air, electricity and high-speed communications and has food and other supplies delivered in water-tight drums.  Scientists and researchers live in this 400 square-foot chamber, complete with kitchen and six bunks.

You can read more about Aquarius from the Huffington Post here: Aquarius Reef Base: World’s Last Undersea Lab Imperiled by Funding

Here, you can read AAAS’s recent interview with Sylvia Earle, former chief scientist at NOAA and current National Geographic explorer-in-residence.  Earl has stayed in the Aquarius three times.

Diver returning to Aquarius. Photo credit: NOAA.

Copyright © 2012 by Marine Science Today, a publication of OceanLines LLC.