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The Razor-sharp Surgeonfish

As any diver can tell you, the waters under the sea can be beautiful and dangerous. The oceans are full of venemous fish, sharks, stinging jellies, manta rays and an assortment of spiny urchins and anenomeas. But who would imagine that one of the most attractive and colorful group of fish on the coral reef has its own surgical tool built right ...

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Chemistry

Chemical Burning

Chemical burns are the result of very normal reactions that can occur between the offending material and living tissue components. People generally tend to regard their bodies as things outside of the ... Continue reading

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Chemistry

What Makes a Candle Burn?

Have you ever wondered how a candle works? If you haven't, think about it for a while. Why does it take so long for the wick to burn down? Why does it need a wick at all? ... Continue reading

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Geology

Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

Weathering, erosion, and deposition are processes continually at work on or near earth's surface. Over time, these processes result in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Weathering occurs when rocks ... Continue reading

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Biology

Steller Sea Lion Biology

The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is the largest member of the Otariid (eared seal) family. Males may be up to 325 cm (10-11 ft) in length and can weigh up to 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Females are ... Continue reading

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Life In The Extreme

MicrobesLowly microbes just may be the toughest living things on Earth. They have learned to survive, and indeed flourish, in the harshest environment imaginable, deep-sea rifts. These rifts are chains of undersea active volcanoes that stretch across the ocean floor. Super-hot roiling lava from deep within the Earth's core, plumes of sulfuric particles, and seawater mix to create hydrothermal vents. This torrid environment is made all the more extreme by the total darkness and the incredible pressure (over 300 atmospheres) and temperature (over 600 degrees F/300 degrees Celsius) exerted by thousands of feet (meters) of seawater.

Yet within these vents microbes thrive. In fact, as soon as a vent opens up, even if it is hundreds of miles (kilometers) away from its nearest neighbor, it's soon teaming with microbes. One key to their survival may be that they are chemosynthetic.

In general, the life process begins with plants and their ability to use the energy of the sun to make food, what we call photosynthesis. Some animals live off the plants, while other animals eat the plant eaters. But no sunlight reaches the deep-sea rifts. The microbes instead create energy by working with the chemicals that flow out of the vents. This process of chemosynthesis allows them to make food and survive. As to how they can withstand the pressure and the intense heat of the water, scientists have a way to go to figure that out.