Aquarius: The undersea laboratory

Just off the coast of Florida, 17 metres below the surface, lies Aquarius - the world's only operating undersea laboratory. Scientists can live in Aquarius for up to two weeks, giving them plenty of time to study the coral reef community. But with budget struggles ahead, the US Congress may withdraw funding for the lab. Mark Schrope dived down to meet the researchers who are trying to save this iconic underwater base.

Read the Nature News story: End of an age for Aquarius

Go to the Aquarius homepage

Nature (International weekly journal of Science), 01 August 2011