How to Avoid Corpse-Flavored Water

TL;DR

Decomposing bodies release chemicals and bacteria, affecting local soil and water quality, potentially posing health risks.

Transcript

Thanks to Brilliant for supporting  this episode of SciShow. Go to Brilliant.org/SciShow to learn how you can  take your STEM skills to the next level! [♪ INTRO] Let’s say you’re visiting an old town on vacation. You go to the fountain to grab  a sip of water. Hm. Salty! Little did you know, that could  be cemetery-flavored water! Yep! Buried bodie... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Decomposing bodies release salts and nutrients, altering the chemistry of soil and water nearby.
• 👎 Contamination from buried bodies can pose health risks due to the release of bacteria and chemicals.
• 🧑‍🏭 Factors such as burial practices and soil type influence the extent of contamination.
• 🥶 Old burial sites may still contain toxins like arsenic and mercury from past embalming practices.
• ✳️ Proper planning and maintenance of cemeteries can help mitigate environmental risks.
• 💦 Contaminants from decomposing bodies can leach into aquifers and larger water sources.
• 🏝️ Erosion can cause bodies to resurface in cemeteries built on islands.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do decomposing bodies impact the chemistry of soil and water near cemeteries?

Decomposing bodies release salts and nutrients like potassium, chlorine, sulfur, and nitrogen, creating local salinity plumes and altering ion concentrations in nearby water sources.

Q: What health risks can arise from the chemicals and bacteria released by decomposing bodies?

Infectious diseases like hepatitis, typhoid fever, E. coli, Salmonella, and Strep can be transmitted through contaminated groundwater near cemeteries, posing potential health risks to those living in the vicinity.

Q: How have burial practices influenced the contamination of soil and water by decomposing bodies?

Certain burial practices, such as using preservatives in embalming fluid, can lead to the contamination of the surrounding environment with toxins like arsenic and mercury, impacting ecosystems even after a hundred years.

Q: What measures can be taken to mitigate the potential risks associated with buried bodies?

Governments regulate cemetery placement to avoid contaminating water supplies, illustrating the importance of planning and maintaining cemeteries away from essential resources.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Decomposing bodies release salts and nutrients, altering the chemistry of soil and water near cemeteries.

• Factors like soil type and burial practices can influence the extent of contamination.

• Chemicals and diseases from decomposing bodies can leach into the environment, affecting ecosystems beyond cemeteries.