Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents
Hydrothermal vents, first discovered in
1977 by a team of scientists working in the Galapagos Islands, are like
geysers—or hot springs—on the ocean floor. Through a process called
chemosynthesis, the ecosystem around the hydrothermal vents thrives, housing
hundreds of species of animals previously unknown to mankind. Despite the
incredibly high temperatures and pressures near the vents, the presence of
toxic minerals, and the lack of sunlight on the ocean floor, these small critters
have adapted and morphed over time to fit their surroundings. A few creatures
that live around the hydrothermal vents include tubeworms, giant clams,
limpets, shrimp, small fish, and octopi. See below for a picture of a
hydrothermal vent and a few of the critters living around them.
Hydrothermal vents are located along
mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates drift apart, magma upwells to form new
ground rock, and volcanic mountain chains are formed. There are various types
of hydrothermal vents including black smokers, white smokers, and seeps. Black
smokers emit hot, dark plumes and are very high in sulfuric content. White
smokers are rich in barium, silicon, and calcium. Seeps are characterized by a
weaker, cooler flow and can be difficult to spot. Creatures living among these
vents must be able to convert the mineral-rich hydrothermal fluid into energy
in order to survive in such extreme conditions.
For more
information on deep-sea hydrothermal vents, go to:
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/deep-sea-hydrothermal-vents/?ar_a=1
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