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Deep Sea Hot Springs |
| Section: NATURAL SCIENCE / AT THE EDGE |
| Author: Robin Johnson |
| Publication: The world & I online |
| Issue Date: 6/1/1991 |
| Size: 1,743 Words, 10,795 Characters |
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Deep below the ocean surface, along ridges extending for thousands of miles, the earth's crust is constantly being renewed as molten rock oozes out forming new seafloor. At irregular intervals along these ridges, spectacular black plumes of hot seawater emerge from tubes projecting from the seafloor. The plumes are visible evidence of hot springs discharging into the surrounding ocean contributing to global heat loss, adding chemicals to the ocean waters, redirecting ocean currents, and dropping dissolved metals that form ore deposits. Most surprisingly, the energy and minerals released by the turbulent plumes nourish unsuspected life-forms in the murky depths--a biological community, unlike any other on earth, in that it does not depend on the sun for its primary energy source.
Thes...
. . .
...f Washington state, which has greater sediment cover than most. In the next few years, scientists should have the technology to drill at more sediment-barren sites. Rock and water samples will be collected, and black smoker sites will undergo long-term monitoring. With focused, multidisciplinary efforts such as these, more of the questions surrounding the black smokers may soon be answered.
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