sadeghi@oxy.edu (Behnam Sadeghi) (12/08/89)
Hi, Does the amount of solute oxygen in water make any significant difference in the rate of the decomposition of a dead human body submerged in water? Another question: Does the level of salt concentration in water affect the solublity of oxygen in water in any significant way? Thanks a lot, Behnam Sadeghi Box 665, Occidental College, Los Angeles, Ca, 90041. (213) 258-7085
larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) (12/11/89)
In article <66666@tiger.oxy.edu>, sadeghi@oxy.edu (Behnam Sadeghi) writes: > Does the amount of solute oxygen in water make any significant difference > in the rate of the decomposition of a dead human body submerged in water? In general, the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) has no significant effect upon the rate of decomposition of a submerged cadaver. Other factors pertaining to water, however, do effect the rate of decomposition: 1. Temperature is an obvious factor, with lower temperatures retarding the rate of decomposition; as water temperature approaches 0 deg C (as in deep lake waters), decomposition through "conventional" bacterial putrefaction is virtually halted. 2. In general, a cadaver decomposes at a slower rate in seawater than under corresponding conditions in fresh water. The alkaline pH of seawater - typically 7.9 - plus the effects of dissolved chlorides and sulfates tends to retard bacterial growth and hence decomposition. 3. In general, a cadaver found in stagnant water or close to a sewage plant effluent outlet will decompose at a more rapid rate since the body provides a growth medium for bacteria already in the water. > Another question: Does the level of salt concentration in water affect > the solublity of oxygen in water in any significant way? It sure does! Oxygen is MUCH less soluble in seawater than in freshwater. A typical activity coefficient (lambda) for oxygen in seawater is about 1.25. Due to the large concentration of chlorides and sulfates, a significant amount of the "water" in seawater is water of hydration. Gases are less soluble in water which is bonded to ions. Incidently, the term "salting-out effect" is used to describe the condition where gases are less soluble in solutions with higher salt concentrations. <> Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp. - Uniquex Corp. - Viatran Corp. <> UUCP {allegra|boulder|decvax|rutgers|watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry <> TEL 716/688-1231 | 716/773-1700 {hplabs|utzoo|uunet}!/ \uniquex!larry <> FAX 716/741-9635 | 716/773-2488 "Have you hugged your cat today?"
dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Sam Conway) (12/12/89)
In article <66666@tiger.oxy.edu> sadeghi@oxy.edu (Behnam Sadeghi) writes: >Hi, >Does the amount of solute oxygen in water make any significant difference >in the rate of the decomposition of a dead human body submerged in water? >Another question: Does the level of salt concentration in water affect >the solublity of oxygen in water in any significant way? >Thanks a lot, >Behnam Sadeghi > Er....excuse me, Mr. Sadeghi....but...you aren't by chance looking for a way to dispose of a corpse, are you? -- Sam Conway dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu Chemistry Dept., Dartmouth College Vermont Raptor Center, VINS Save the Humans!
sadeghi@oxy.edu (Behnam Sadeghi) (12/13/89)
In article <17867@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU> Sam Conway writes: >In article <66666@tiger.oxy.edu> sadeghi@oxy.edu (Behnam Sadeghi) writes: >>Hi, >>Does the amount of solute oxygen in water make any significant difference >>in the rate of the decomposition of a dead human body submerged in water? >>Another question: Does the level of salt concentration in water affect >>the solublity of oxygen in water in any significant way? >>Thanks a lot, >>Behnam Sadeghi >> > >Er....excuse me, Mr. Sadeghi....but...you aren't by chance looking for >a way to dispose of a corpse, are you? Well... that's a tricky question! Behnam Sadeghi