Hydrothermal Vents- Chapters 2, 5, 16

Hydrothermal Vent

• Hydrothermal vent- a deep-sea hot spring where heated seawater forces its way up through the crust.

• Discovered rich communities in 1977.• Temperatures range from 10-20⁰C (50-68⁰F)

to 350⁰C (660⁰F).• Mineral particles such as sulfides and

carbonates precipitate to form chimneys.

Mid-Ocean Ridge

Hydrothermal Vents

Fig. 5.5

Metabolic Reactions in Bacteria

Mid-Ocean Ridges

http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/ridge/axial.html

Hydrothermal Vent Tubeworm

Vent crabs

http://www.ocean.udel.edu/deepsea/level-2/creature/crab.html

Zooarcid Fish (Eelpout)

Giant Vent Mussel

Lepetodrilus- limpets

Pompeii Worm

http://www.ocean.udel.edu/extreme2004/creatures/pompeiiworm/index.html

Giant Hydrothermal Vent Clam

Anemones