Scientists to investigate mysterious Blue Hole off Florida coast

US scientists are set to investigate a mysterious blue hole that lies at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. The site, dubbed Green Banana, will be visited by the research team in August 2020 and again in May 2021. It is one of many wells of this type located in the Florida area that ignite the curiosity of researchers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA has reported that the distribution and exact number of geological formations known as blue holes is unknown. Their holes may be deep under the sea and too small to be explored by humans or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Interestingly, it is the diving community and local fishermen who are responsible for discovering most of them and sharing this knowledge with the scientific world.

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Last year, a combined research team of scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Atlantic University/Harbour Branch, Georgia Institute of Technology and the US Geological Society investigated a shallower well named Amberjack Hole, which is located 30 miles west of Sarasota, Florida.

Now scientists plan to use the techniques developed there to explore the Green Banana well, whose profile is arranged in an hourglass shape. The narrowing is 47m below the water surface and the bottom is about 130m deep, making it particularly difficult to explore.

The Amberjack Hole study found that the blue hole contains large amounts of dissolved inorganic carbon, which can support certain types of life, including microorganisms. This could explain the biodiversity of blue holes, where corals, sponges, molluscs, turtles, sharks and other sea creatures may live, according to NOAA.

During the upcoming expedition, scientists hope to discover whether the blue holes are actually connected to Florida’s groundwater.

^{Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Photo:Allison Baird / Mote Marine Laboratory}