Saturation
Medical Moderator
Rinse tanks are generally not for disinfection, but to rinse off salt. That is all. Any collection of stagnant water is bound to collect organisms, even pathologic one's at that. Drying wet gear will kill most vegetative forms, and sunlight can kill most organisms before they can form spores.
Salt water is generally a weak disinfectant for most organisms that live in fresh water but many organisms can survive for a limited duration in salt water. If your gear is to remain wet all the time to prevent crystalization, then gear wet with salt water has advantages.
Factors Affecting the Survival of Bacteria in Sea Water
Nevertheless, there are more pathogens in 'safe' swimming water in most US beaches as the definition of clean water is just a matter of low versus high coliform bacteria counts.
Data from Beach Tests
Having bacteria is one thing, have a load to cause disease is another.
Salt water is generally a weak disinfectant for most organisms that live in fresh water but many organisms can survive for a limited duration in salt water. If your gear is to remain wet all the time to prevent crystalization, then gear wet with salt water has advantages.
Factors Affecting the Survival of Bacteria in Sea Water
Nevertheless, there are more pathogens in 'safe' swimming water in most US beaches as the definition of clean water is just a matter of low versus high coliform bacteria counts.
Data from Beach Tests
Having bacteria is one thing, have a load to cause disease is another.
