A few miles off Key Largo, Florida, under the ocean’s surface, scientists are at work. Next to Conch Reef, one of the most complex coral reefs in the Florida Keys, sits the Aquarius Reef Base, an underwater research lab. Here, scientists get an unusually close look at the reef and the animals and plants that call this place home. Researchers first began building undersea labs back in the 1960s, and dozens more were created in the following decades. But they were costly to build and maintain, so today Aquarius is the only one left.
Diving Into Scientific Research
Aquarius’ scientists are known as aquanauts. Before you become an aquanaut, you have to be a strong swimmer and confident diver and feel comfortable staying in the water for many hours a day. You must
