Question

How do the pressure variations with depth affect our ability to explore the ocean? Consider the challenges of scuba diving and submarines.

Answer 1

Lower depths require the ability of the body or the submarine to withstand higher pressures. When doing SCUBA diving, the higher pressure on the blood in the body forces the absorption of more nitrogen into the blood, assuming that an oxygen/nitrogen mixture is being breathed.

This can lead to fatal "bends" as the diver ascends to lower depths and nitrogen bubbles fill the blood vessels.