Is the Dead Sea polluted?

Huge amounts of plastic waste have been discovered at the mouth of the Kidron Stream that abuts the Dead Sea's waterline according to researchers from the University of Haifa's Charney School of Marine Sciences who studied impurities in the salty lake.



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No matter what time of year you choose to visit the Dead Sea, it's important to remember that swimming in its waters can be dangerous due to its high salt content and strong currents. Visitors must take safety precautions, such as wearing a life jacket or using a floatation device when swimming in these waters.

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More than 8 million gallons of sewage from East Jerusalem is pumped downhill to the Dead Sea, raw and untreated, every day. That's not just a little icky for those of us who like to float in the lowest body of water on earth.

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While full of therapeutic minerals, the water is toxic to ingest. That didn't stop 28 swimmers from swimming nine miles (14.5 kilometres) across it, from Jordan to Israel, in the first-ever Dead Sea Swim.

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Even just a few drops (of water) feels like acid burning in your eyes—if you ingest it, either through your mouth or through your nose, it is potentially fatal.

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You can't walk on the water of the Dead Sea. The water is rich in salt and minerals, so it has a silky, thick consistency that will keep you afloat if you're swimming. But the buoyancy is not enough to walk on. You can, however, walk on large slabs of solid salt that form in the water, and along the shore.

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Fact: You can – and you should. Pads might not be the best option, since they'll absorb water till they're soaked, and could get weighed down or fall out. Plus, they might be visible through your bathing suit. On the other hand, tampons are convenient and safe to use in water.

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Don't Splash or Dive The water is so salty that literally nothing can survive in it. That's why it's called the Dead Sea. So you want to be sure to avoid the water getting in your eyes or nose at all costs.

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Don't stay in the Dead Sea longer than 10-15 minutes. The salt water irritates your skin, and after 15 minutes it can start to sting. Remember that the Dead Sea is about 10 times saltier than typical oceans and seas. On that note – Don't splash!

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Go swimming in designated areas only The reason you should swim in a designated area is so that there are life guards on duty. On the plus side, there are no sharks or other nasties to worry about. Nothing lives in the Dead Sea except for small micro organisms.

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The sea is called dead because its high salinity prevents macroscopic aquatic organisms, such as fish and aquatic plants, from living in it, though minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi are present. In times of flood, the salt content of the Dead Sea can drop from its usual 35% to 30% or lower.

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The basin has no outlet, so water escapes only by evaporation. As fresh water evaporates, salty minerals dissolved in the water get left behind. Over time, this process made the Dead Sea much saltier than ocean water. The lake's saltiness means that larger organisms such as fish and frogs can't survive in the Dead Sea.

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Entering the Dead Sea: Be extremely careful not to get the water in your eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. If you do, have a friend lead you to the fresh water showers commonplace at public beaches. Do not put your head underwater; floating on your back is preferable in order to avoid this.

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