Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

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Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents
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Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

• Extreme heat
• High pressure
• Low oxygen
• High CO2
• No light
• Acidic water
• Toxic chemicals (e.g. hydrogen sulphide,
  heavy metals)

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Discovery
In 1977 the scientific community made an
astounding discovery - hot springs at the
Galapagos Rift in the Pacific ocean. When
scientists were first able to see what lay around
the hot springs, they were totally astounded.
There were new species that had never been seen
before.
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Discovery
Water heated as high as 404C by magma from
Earths interior billows from a seafloor chimney.
The surrounding ocean is just a few degrees above
freezing. When the two fluids meet, iron sulphide
precipitates, giving the black smoker its
colour.
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Movies
Giant tubeworms Deep sea crabs Smoker
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Adaptations
There is no sunlight therefore no algae to form
the base of the food chain. Instead, bacteria
carry out chemosynthesis. They use hydrogen
sulphide from the hydrothermal vents, normally
fatal to life, to produce usable energy. They
also contain enzymes which are able to withstand
the extreme high temperatures. The bacteria form
the base of the food chain.
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Adaptations