Thermal and Chemical Transport Processes near the Two Phase Boundary of Seawater

University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

Phase separation of seawater and fluid/mineral equilibration accounts for much of the chemical variety observed in mid-ocean ridge hot spring fluids. Double diffusive convection or similar thermohaline convection processes potentially account for constant C1 and temperature in submarine vents, but factors affecting the relative transport of heat and C1 in fluids are unknown close to the two-phase boundary of seawater. This project will quantify the chemical and thermal diffusional phoenomena and viscosity of NaC1-rich fluids at conditions from 350 degrees Centigrade up to and including the two phase boundary of seawater.