Diving at pH10

Jens Kallmeyer

HI

In a few weeks I will travel to Lake Van in eastern Turkey. The lake has a rather funky chemistry (salinity 25, pH10) and some interesting microbial communities in there.
A few Geologists are meeting up there to discuss a possible drilling program in the lake, but I am also interested (of course) in diving the lake and sampling some other features that drilling can't get me.
Gas logistics should not be a problem, if we ship a whole drilling rig up there, a few bottles and a compressor are peanuts.
What I am interested is something else: Has anyone ever done diving in a highly alkaline environment? If yes, how does the normal dive gear react to it? Are there any precautions I have to take? I'd rather go OC and toss some stuff later before I ruin my breather.

Jens

divetheworld

Bugger me, PH10 is fairly aggressive. I wouldnt take mine in at all.
What rebreather are you using? Most manufacturers are very helpful with stuff like that, they are the only ones I would take advise from.
IMHO

Brent.

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narked at 90

hi Jens i tend to agree with brent, ph10 is a bit fears, and it isnt going to do much for your skin let alone your eyes
i asume your thinking of useing a FFM?
kindest regards john routley

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Jens Kallmeyer

HI

One species of fish lives in that lake and apparently it is even safe for human consumption.....I will test that when I get there.
Someone in the late 70's or 80's did some dives in the lake, I hope at the meeting I will find out who that was.
I dive a russian rig, so I doubt that the manufacturer will be of any help.

Jens

mverick

I've done it.

But in a Gates rubber drysuit with a Kirby Morgan 17k yoked to it. It was in a chemical plant. In, clear a drain. And back out. Hose off gear and me before coming out of suit.

I don't think I'd do it in a wetsuit or any drysuit other then a Gates or Viking rubber.

Might be able to do OC in KM 17k. I know I've seen arctic divers doing it. I'd do it if needed. FFM is usually fine for my fun dives though.

Might be OK. But, I wouldn't.

NeilHolden

PH10 is seriously nasty. Would not dive that in anything less than a complete environment suit (as stated already rubber dry syuit and attached KMB 17 - or equivalent).

Would do nothing for the complexion!

And definitely would not look to be using my own kit. If transporting a compressor etc is peanuts, why not invent some reason to get the company to provide a reason to dive - they provide the 'disposable' gear .

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Neil

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Diversi Veshi Tem

jaap

Hmm

pH 10 is not that aggressive, only 1000 times more caustic than neutral water.

Remember that the water that can sometimes find its way out of the scrubber is more like pH 14. That is very caustic, about 10 million times more caustic than pure water.

I would _guess_ that your gear would be fine if you hose and bath it carefully after the dive.

For personal protection, try to see if the locals swim in it or not?
If they do, then there should be no problems. If they don't, well then I would not dive there, unless maybe with a drysuit, drygloves and a FFM. And keeping the depht shallow so one could get out fast if the FFM goes bad.

I remember a discussion a few years ago when some dude was hesitating about diving in a lake with pH 4. Lots of folks says that its super acidic and things. But the fact is that its not doing much to the gear and people dive there often. pH 4 is 1000 times more acidic than pure water.

Not that one can compare the relative dangers of an acid lake with a high pH one. A high pH is more damaging to the eyes and probably leaves more residues on the gear if it is not washed away properly.

Jens Kallmeyer

HI

Thanks for all the input. When I get back from the trip I will know more.
As some folks did dive in the lake ages ago, some few thousand people build a city at the lake shore and there is still one species of fish swimming in it, I doubt that it is sooo bad.
I'll keep you posted

Jens

narked at 90

hi jens hope it all goes well for you but just because a few people dived it ages ago does not mean it will not do you some major harm,
i dont have any reaction to any thing i know so far but my mothers skin blistered so badly when she spilt some detol(antiseptic)on it she ended up with deep scares....
and some fish have a few more million years you get to get use to it!
i really do wish you well but just dont want you to find out to late.
with my kindest regards john routley

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jaap

Yes, just look it up on the internet. That lake seems pretty large, but some sites mention good spots for snorkeling and swimming so I guess that there are at least some places around it that are OK for diving.