Scientists believe they have solved the mystery of how the Mediterranean Sea almost dried up millions of years ago, leading to the build-up of a layer of salt up to nearly 5km thick under the basin.
A study into how the massive amount of salt was deposited during the extreme evaporation, which researchers call the Messinian Salinity Crisis, shows it happened in two phases.
In the first, the sea became cut off from the global ocean, leading to salt deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, it said. Previous studies have suggested that happened when the precursor to the Strait of Gibraltar closed almost six million years ago due to the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates, which also led to waterways connecting Spain and Morocco to the Atlantic being shut off.
During the second phase, according to research published in Nature Communications, salt built up across the entire Mediterranean, driven by a rapid drop in sea level of between 1.7km and 2.1km in its eastern arm, and about 0.85km in the eastern part.
As a result, the Mediterranean basin lost up to 70 per cent of its water volume, the study found, leaving the sea level an average of 1km lower than the Atlantic Ocean.
Scientists believe that helped trigger nearby volcanic eruptions due to unloading of Earth's crust, as well as generating global climatic effects due to the huge depression caused by the falling sea level.
Researchers say the results provide a better understanding of ancient extreme geological phenomena, the evolution of the Mediterranean region and successive global repercussions.
The Messinian Salinity Crisis ended about 5.33 million years ago, with an event known as the Zanclean flood or Zanclean deluge, which reconnected the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Scientists believe it may have been the largest flood in the planet’s history, about 1,000 times larger than the flow of the Amazon river, according to some estimates. One model suggests 90 per cent of the flooding of the Mediterranean took place over a period lasting up to two years.
According to the UN Environment Programme, the Mediterranean is warming at a rate 20 per cent faster than the global average.
The air temperatures in the region have already increased by an average of 1.54°C compared to pre-industrial levels, and by 2040 are forecast to have risen a total of 2.2°C. Seawater is about 0.4°C warmer.
Research has indicated significant loss of marine species in the eastern Mediterranean because of climate change.
A study in 2021 found that in some sea habitats off Israel, for example, the number of native species had been reduced by up to 95 per cent. In other habitats, including intertidal areas, described as “more tolerant to climate extremes”, about 50 per cent of the original species diversity remained.
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Elvis
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
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Engine: 5.0-litre V8
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Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
