They also believe the submarine s interior was a mini-world for marine animals, similar to a home terrarium. We know from the scientific evidence obtained from the sediments above the sub that the vessel was completely buried within 15 to 20 years. This new analysis may tell how fast the interior filled. Archaeologists have recovered a few hundred artifacts from the sub. Ninety percent of these are the heads of the rivets that were drilled out and the heads punched through.
Rivets are in varying states of preservation, due to individual differences in corrosion rates.
Some are completely preserved, while others are almost completely gone. The accelerated corrosion of the sub in air is a concern to both archaeologists and conservators. In order to reduce the corrosion rate and preserve the protective concretion around the sub, it is sprayed with water continuously or completely submerged in water chilled to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Conservators Paul Mardikian and Philippe de Vivies are also coating the exposed frames with a protective chemical and wrapping them with plastic sheeting. This is in order to reduce the contact with oxygen in the air and drying.