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Young World
Artificial reef
IN THE GULF OF MEXICO: The world's largest intentional reef. PHOTO: REUTERS
Sink a ship and create a reef. The Gulf of Mexico now has the world's largest intentional reef after explosives aboard the USS Oriskany were detonated to send the retired aircraft carrier to the bottom of the sea. The ship, 888 feet long, was commissioned in 1950 and served in the Vietnam and Korea wars. It was also used in John Kennedy's show of force during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Veterans from the two wars watched the clouds of smoke that rose as 500 pounds of explosives sent the ship on its final journey. The Environmental Protection Agency had earlier approved the programme since the ship still contained chemical toxins found in electrical wires and paint. Officials said that the toxins would leach out over a century and would not pose a danger to marine life. There are hopes that the artificial reef will bring economic benefits to the local community from divers and fishermen.
COMPILED BY R. KRITHIKA
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