Aiding sustainable conservation of the Red Sea

Summary

KAUST scientists discovered a new brine pool in the Red Sea, named the Afifi pool, in collaboration with Saudi Aramco. The Afifi pool is the saltiest known in the Red Sea, six times saltier than surrounding seawater, and is located at a depth of 400 meters. Researchers used a variety of tools including Niskin bottles, an Idronaut CTD, and the Research Vessel Thuwal to characterize the pool's physical and chemical properties and sample its microbiology. Why it matters: This discovery facilitates understanding of the geochemistry and microbiology of extreme ecosystems, potentially aiding in the sustainable conservation of the Red Sea and offering insights into potential extraterrestrial environments.