Chimneys Forming from Vent Fluids at 231 to 405 degrees C: Examination of Critical Point Phenomena, Mineral Assemblages, and Implications for Microbial Habitats

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will examine the range of mineral assemblages and possible microbial environments present within seafloor hydrothermal vent deposits, and observe how mineral precipitation in hydrothermal systems is affected at near criticl point conditions. Focus will be on 29 selected pairs of vent fluid/vent solid samples collected at a diversity of vent microbial habitats within chimneys are affected by differences in the temperature and composition of the vent fluid, map pones in chimneys where different groups of microbes could thrive, document the effects of phase separation near the criticl point of water on mineral deposition.