Hydrothermal Vents: Types, Importance, Merits and Demerits

Have you heard about Hydrothermal vents? These are very interesting natural openings in the earth’s crust located in the ocean floor. Through these Hydrothermal vents, hot mineral rich water emerges. In this article, we will explore few more facts about the Hydrothermal vents including its merits and demerits.

Types of Hydrothermal vents:

Hydrothermal vents are basically associated with tectonic plate boundaries. The region where divergence of the Earth’s plate takes place. The water which emerges from these openings is heated by the Earth’s mantle thereby making the temperatures of ocean water slightly above the surrounding waterbody.

Two types into which it can be classified are White Smokers and Black Smokers.

White Smokers: Light color liquid which comes out through the vent is generally termed as White Smokers. It is due to the variations in the minerals and metals present in the liquid.

Black Smokers: Dark color liquid that comes out through the vent is generally termed as Black Smokers. It is due to the variations in the minerals and metals present in the liquid. If the minerals and metals present are of dark color, it will lead in the formation of dark fluids known as Black Smokers.

Importance of Hydrothermal vents:

These vents play an important role in Earth’s Geology and also support unique ecosystem. The hot mineral and chemical rich water that spews from the vent provide energy to a variety of organisms. The other interesting fact to see here is the unique life forms around the Hydrothermal vents. These organisms surprisingly can resist in high temperatures, pressure and in the presence of toxic substances. But as these ecosystems are recently discovered may be around 40-50 years back therefore we do not have mush information about it. Scientists and marine engineers will have to use deep-sea submersibles and remotely operated vehicles to know more about it.

https://www.britannica.com/video/143169/Earth-crust-layers-core-mantle

Influence On Ocean Water

While reading this article you must be thinking that Do Hydrothermal vents heat up the Ocean water? So the answer is yes of course. The water which is releasing through the vent will definitely have impact into the surrounding ocean, but the oceans are so vast that their overall impact on the temperature of the entire ocean is negligible.

In one of the books, it was mentioned that the temperature of the water near hydrothermal vents can be above 400 degrees Celsius. However, this hot water quickly mixes with the cold seawater, and gets neutralized with distance from the vent. They do not have a measurable impact on the global temperature of the ocean.

Where Can It Be Found?

It can be found in various locations across the world’s oceans, but are more common along the mid-ocean ridges. By mid-ocean ridges, we mean underwater mountain ranges that are forms by tectonic plate boundaries. The place where the tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise from the Earth’s mantle.

You may also find these vents in the East Pacific from Arctic Ocean to Southern Ocean. Also, it can be seen in the southern parts of the Indian ocean. Overall, there are many such plate boundaries in the ocean where they are prominent as it is associated with tectonic activity.

Hydrothermal Vents: Merits

Unique Ecosystems:

The underwater ocean openings also known as Hydrothermal Vents host diverse and unique ecosystems and are not dependent on sunlight for energy.

Opportunities For Scientific Research:

The underwater oceanic vents provide scientists with a natural laboratory. It will help scientists in studying geological and chemical process that occurs deep beneath the ocean. It will also enhance our understanding about tectonic activity and the exchange of minerals between Earth’s crust and the ocean.

Deposition and Source of Minerals:

Hydrothermal vents are helpful in knowing about the deposition of minerals on the ocean floor. The mineral deposits are rich in zinc, copper and Gold. Mining these resources will be a challenge but definitely represent potential future sources of rare metals.

Search for Potential Habitats for Extraterrestrial Life:

The conditions around these under oceanic vents will provide analogs for scientists and environmentalists on other celestial bodies. Suding life in hydrothermal vent ecosystems aids in search for potential habitats for extraterrestrial life in our solar system and beyond.

Geochemical Influence:

The underwater oceanic vents play a role in the global geochemical cycles. Also, in the exchange of heat between the Earth’s interior and ocean. This contributes to our knowledge of the Earth’s climate system.

Hydrothermal Vents: Demerits:

Adverse effect of Mineral Exploration on underwater ecosystems:

As we know that some hydrothermal vents contain mineral deposits like copper, zinc and gold, the exploration of these minerals can lead to environmental concerns, including habitat disruption, destruction of underwater ecosystems, and the release of toxic substances.

Deep underwater Mining challenges:

Destruction of unique ecosystems, disturbance of sediments, and release of harmful chemicals are the significant environmental concerns associated with deep sea mining.

Unpredicted Ecological Consequences:

Human interventions can have unpredictable and potentially irreversible consequences as we have very less information about the unique ecosystems around the vents. Changes to vent ecosystems can impact the biodiversity of the deep sea.

Genetic Resource Issues:

To prevent overexploitation and loss of biodiversity, ethical considerations and the sustainable use of genetic material from these environments are important. Therefore, to explore or research hydrothermal vent ecosystems for bioprospecting without proper regulation can have further implications.

Hydrothermal Vents: Types, Importance, Merits and Demerits

To Sum Up:

Oceanic vents also known as Hydrothermal vents represent extraordinary and enigmatic features about the ocean floor. It also provides invaluable insights into the earth’s geology and chemistry. The oceanic underwater ecosystems which thrive in extreme conditions, challenge our understanding of life’s adaptability. To maintain the balance and to continue scientific research demands careful considerations to preserve the integrity of these Hydrothermal vent habitats for future generations. The Hydrothermal vents illuminate the potential for habitable zones beyond Earth.