Hydrothermal Vents Research Paper

Hydrothermal vents are categorized by the temperature of the hydrothermal fluids released. One type of hydrothermal vents are called white smokers. White smokers release hydrothermal fluids of temperatures around 30-350°C (86-662°F) (Karimi, 31). These vents release lighter hued minerals such as barium, calcium, and silicon. They also tend to be lower in temperature due to how far away they are from the source of heat (“Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana”). Another type of hydrothermal vents are black smokers. The vents fluids can release temperatures of above 350°C or higher. Black smokers can emit smoke up to 55 meters that are very rich in sulfur (“Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents”). Conditions at these vents differ depending on their location. This also indicates that marine life near hydrothermal vents are different depending on where the vent is and how warm it can get. Although it is

Often, new life at hydrothermal vents begins with a burst of bacteria from the opening of the vent. These bacterias can endure high temperatures more than any other organism (Masters). Plants and organisms that live near hydrothermal vents use a process called chemosynthesis, allowing organisms to use energy released by inorganic chemical reactions to produce food (“Ocean Explorer”). Some bacteria and archaea cannot withstand the hot hydrothermal fluids of black smokers, but they thrive just outside the extreme heat of the water (“The Microbes That Keep Hydrothermal Vents Pumping”). Also, being close enough to the chimney but far enough from the heat allows bacteria to gather