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> “When people die in a tsunami, they inhale saltwater that contains small marine microorganisms called diatoms, which means they suffocate and then drown ... T

by bsg75 8y ago

> “When people die in a tsunami, they inhale saltwater that contains small marine microorganisms called diatoms, which means they suffocate and then drown ... These diatoms travel through the bloodstream and are deposited and preserved within the bone marrow of larger bones. If we can find marine diatoms, this may indicate that the body is a tsunami victim.” If a victim drowns, is it feasible diatoms can move through the bloodstream into marrow? Drowning = death = no blood flow.

FatalLogic 8y ago
Blood flows at around 10-30cm per second and death isn't instantaneous. So it's possible.
- fecundita 8y ago
  The article has probably incorrectly presented two mistakes. 1. Diatoms would/could travel through deceased blood VESSELS as tubes or plumbing channels, but unlikely the active blood stream. And certainly not en masse, as if invading in seconds or minutes. 2. Diatoms are ordinarily destected in THE LUNGS of the deceased, upong forensic investigation. Why the lungs? BECAUSE THAT'S THE PART THAT DROWNS. Lungs filling with water results in drowning. Sea water contains diatoms. Drowning at sea puts diatoms in the lungs. Drowning does not really put water anywhere else. This means drowning won't put diatoms anywhere water won't go. So, even if you chop someone in half, and throw them into the sea, the diatoms aren't hell bent on going all creepy crawly and getting into the blood stream. But, after the person dies, and swish, swish, veins and arteries become rinsed out, and bones cracked in half show their interior to the ocean, yes blood vessels might incidentally become home to diatoms, in the weeks ahead, as the body deteriorates. Now, millions of years hence, looking at fossilized remains... Might one expect diotomacious fossilization processes to affect tsunami victims, SPECIFICALLY? Yes, so there you go.

by bsg75 8y ago

FatalLogic 8y ago

Blood flows at around 10-30cm per second and death isn't instantaneous. So it's possible.

fecundita 8y ago
The article has probably incorrectly presented two mistakes. 1. Diatoms would/could travel through deceased blood VESSELS as tubes or plumbing channels, but unlikely the active blood stream. And certainly not en masse, as if invading in seconds or minutes. 2. Diatoms are ordinarily destected in THE LUNGS of the deceased, upong forensic investigation. Why the lungs? BECAUSE THAT'S THE PART THAT DROWNS. Lungs filling with water results in drowning. Sea water contains diatoms. Drowning at sea puts diatoms in the lungs. Drowning does not really put water anywhere else. This means drowning won't put diatoms anywhere water won't go. So, even if you chop someone in half, and throw them into the sea, the diatoms aren't hell bent on going all creepy crawly and getting into the blood stream. But, after the person dies, and swish, swish, veins and arteries become rinsed out, and bones cracked in half show their interior to the ocean, yes blood vessels might incidentally become home to diatoms, in the weeks ahead, as the body deteriorates. Now, millions of years hence, looking at fossilized remains... Might one expect diotomacious fossilization processes to affect tsunami victims, SPECIFICALLY? Yes, so there you go.