The deadly danger of the ocean's hypersaline brine pools

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Explore the extreme environments of the deep sea, where salinity levels can reach eight times that of the surrounding ocean, pushing marine life to the brink of survival.

This footage from Blue Planet II examines the perilous nature of brine pools located at the ocean floor. These pools possess a salinity level three to eight times higher than the usual sea level. The video illustrates the extreme physiological toll this environment takes on wildlife, specifically showing how a Cutthroat eel enters toxic shock when venturing too close to these concentrated salt deposits.

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