The secrets of the Titanic: Why does the shipwreck lack human remains?

The mysteries of the Titanic's wreckage, lying at a depth of 3,800 meters after its sinking, are being unraveled: The absence of remains of those who perished in the disaster reveals secrets of the ocean's chemical composition. This tragic story offers a history lesson hidden in the depths of science.

The sorrowful tale left by the Titanic, which sank after hitting an iceberg in 1912, was etched in history with the loss of 1,517 lives in the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. However, years later, images of the wreckage from 3,800 meters below the sea revealed an unexpected truth: There were no remains of the victims.

This was surprising, especially considering other shipwrecks like Chuuk Lagoon, which are filled with human remains. So, why was the Titanic wreck different? The answer lay in the depth at which the wreck rested and the chemical composition of the water.

THE CHEMISTRY OF THE DEEP SEAS AND THE DISSOLUTION OF BONES

Robert Ballard, the deep-sea explorer who first discovered the Titanic's wreckage in 1985, explained that below a certain depth, the water dissolved bones. This was the primary factor determining the fate of the Titanic and similar deep-sea wrecks. Deep ocean water, being unsaturated in calcium carbonate, caused the bones to dissolve over time.

The only remnants found at the Titanic wreck were pairs of empty shoes, instead of skeletons. Thanks to processed leather's resistance to the effects of water, the only memory of the people who lost their lives in this tragic event was the shoes they wore that day.

This story reveals that the Titanic was not just a maritime disaster, but also a mystery hidden in the depths of the ocean, shedding light on human history. This tragic event marked the beginning of a journey filled with discoveries of profound significance for science and history.