do we decompose quicker in salt water or fresh water or is it the same?
2006-10-02 21:48:19 · 10 answers · asked by paul s 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
look mate if you want to hide a body throw it into a pig sty, theyll eat the whole lot.
2006-10-02 21:56:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are lots of variables involved in decomposition such as acid content of the water, temperature, conumables (ie animals and insects that will help the break-down process by consuming fleshy parts. A corpse in a large rock pool during a heat wave (assuming the water didn't all evaporate first) would decompose faster than a corpse in a bath tub of fresh water in the middle of winter in Alaska. If the environment is just water (salted or otherwise) without bugs or beasts to nibble away at the corpse then fresh water would be better, but if you want the best results skin and gut the corpse first, throw it in a large tub of water and add a fish tank heater set at 32 degrees C and this will definately speed things up. You can turn a fresh small mammal corpse into a handul of bones within a week. This is a method I use for cleaning animal skulls.
2006-10-03 15:21:01 · answer #2 · answered by chunniemonster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salt is a preservative, so I'd say fresh water under lab conditions. In the sea it would be a different matter because there's plenty of organisms and creatures that would devour us quicker like a load of spider crabs.
2006-10-03 04:59:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To decompose completely, probably fresh water, because more bacteria can exist in a non-saline environment, and thus break down the body more quickly.
2006-10-03 04:54:02 · answer #4 · answered by Jonny Jo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fresh water I reckon, considering salt is often used to preserve meat, it would probably slow down the decomposition. Hmm, slightly worrying question!
2006-10-03 04:57:11 · answer #5 · answered by peggy*moo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think fresh water, but have a look on t'internet about 'bodyfarms' in the US. These are labs who have cadavors in different settings eg varying temperatures, to see what affects the decomposition.
2006-10-03 05:01:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salt being a preservative, i would say--fresh.
2006-10-03 04:57:57 · answer #7 · answered by Ron~N 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am not sure but i think in fresh water, but saltwater dehydrates faster
2006-10-03 05:58:04 · answer #8 · answered by xodusj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fresh water .....
2006-10-03 04:51:02 · answer #9 · answered by DEADGONE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why, are you planning on kiling anybody?
2006-10-03 04:51:01 · answer #10 · answered by Diablo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋