Burns or explodes: what threats the Black Sea poses

One nursery rhyme by Korney Chukovsky told how “the foxes took matches, went to the blue sea, lit the blue sea”. Of course, this is pure fiction, because animals do not know how to use matches. But the sea is quite capable of catching fire, especially when it comes to the Black Sea. Indeed, 90% of its waters contain hydrogen sulfide - a combustible, poisonous and explosive gas with the smell of rotten eggs.





How the Black Sea burned

Full information about the earthquake in Crimea in 1927 was inaccessible to the general public. Details of this event are preferred to hide.

And the following happened. On September 12, 1927, a powerful and destructive earthquake with a shock force of 8 points occurred near Yalta. It provoked large landslides. Significant damage was caused to the buildings, the crop was lost. In addition to Yalta, tremors were felt in other settlements along the Crimean coast.

Although Crimea is located in a seismic zone, serious earthquakes usually do not occur there. Therefore, this event was unusual and resonant. In addition, the earthquake was accompanied by unexplained phenomena.

There was a disgusting stench and bright flashes, the source of which was the sea. Pillars of fire and smoke rose several hundred meters from its surface. So the Black Sea burned.

According to one version, the source of ignition was methane, which escaped from tectonic faults during an earthquake. But most experts believe that hydrogen sulfide was burning.

Hydrogen sulfide sea

Compared to other seas and oceans, underwater life in the Black Sea is extremely scarce. This is especially true of deep-sea species. This is no accident, because the hydrogen sulfide contained in the water column kills all living things. And the water layer saturated with this poisonous gas in some areas begins already at a depth of 50 meters.

When it rises above, mass death of marine life can occur. Once this happened in the Ukrainian resort of Koblevo. As a result, approximately 100 tons of dead fish were thrown ashore.

There is life in saturated hydrogen sulfide water, but it is represented only by anaerobic bacteria and some types of marine worms.

The Black Sea is not the only one where water is saturated with this gas, but in other places the problem is less acute. The fact is that the Black Sea is one of the most closed. It has access to the oceans through the Bosporus and Dardanelles, which connect it with the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the hydrogen sulfide that is formed here does not disappear anywhere. It only accumulates.

Moreover, wastewater and other contaminants, reacting with seawater, form new hydrogen sulfide. Experts say that very soon the depth of the hydrogen sulfide layer will be 15 meters.

Poisoning of marine fauna is not the worst thing that can happen. Do not forget that hydrogen sulfide is explosive. The simultaneous explosion of such a large amount of gas in its power can be comparable to the fall of an asteroid the size of half the moon.

And hydrogen sulfide escaping from the deep sea and entering the atmosphere can cause intense acid rain. Such an amount of acid, carried by air masses and falling out in the form of precipitation, can destroy all life at a distance of tens of kilometers from the Black Sea coast.

What to do?

The danger posed by the increase in the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea is very high. The problem should be solved, and the sooner the better.

One of the solutions is strict control over emissions of harmful substances in all countries with access to the Black Sea.

In addition, studies have already begun on the possibility of producing hydrogen sulfide and its use for economic purposes. After all, it is an excellent fuel. Perhaps it is quite capable of replacing gasoline or other fuel.

It’s a pity, of course, that it does not smell like violets.