Hydrothermal Vents

Syllabus: GS1/ Physical Geography

In News

• Indian oceanographers using an Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) launched from the research vessel Sagar Nidhi, captured the first-ever image of an active hydrothermal vent located 4,500 meters below the Indian Ocean’s surface.
  • The site is significant for mineral exploration under the Deep Ocean Mission by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

What is Active Hydrothermal Vent?

• Seafloor Hot Springs: They are openings in the ocean floor where geothermally heated water flows out.
• Tectonic Activity: They are often found near volcanically active areas, especially mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates are moving apart.
• How they form:
  • Seawater seeps into cracks in the ocean crust.
  • It gets superheated by magma beneath the seafloor.
  • The hot water dissolves minerals from the surrounding rocks.
  • This mineral-rich, hot water gushes back out into the ocean, forming the vent.
• Types of Vents:
  • Black Smokers: Emit very hot water (over 350°C) that’s rich in sulfides, making the water appear black.
  • White Smokers: Emit cooler water with lighter-colored minerals like barium, calcium, and silicon.

Why are they important?

• Unique Ecosystems: Hydrothermal vents support unique ecosystems that thrive in the absence of sunlight.
• Chemosynthesis: Specialized bacteria and archaea use chemicals from the vents (like hydrogen sulfide) to produce energy, forming the base of the food web.
• Biodiversity: These ecosystems are home to a variety of unusual creatures, including tubeworms, giant clams, and vent crabs.
• Origin of Life: Some scientists believe that life on Earth may have originated in hydrothermal vent environments.

About Deep Ocean Mission

• Brief: It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India launched in 2021 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). 
• Aim: To explore and harness the vast resources of the deep ocean while addressing challenges in oceanography and marine ecosystems.
• Key Objectives: 
  • Exploration of Deep-Sea Resources: Study and map hydrothermal vents, polymetallic nodules, and cobalt-rich crusts found in the Indian Ocean.
  • Development of Technology for Deep-Sea Mining: Build and deploy advanced equipment and vehicles for mining at depths of up to 6,000 meters.
  • Biodiversity and Environmental Studies: Conduct research on marine ecosystems and unique life forms in deep-sea environments.
  • Climate Change and Ocean Observations: Strengthen India’s ability to monitor climate change and its impact on oceans.
  • Marine Biotechnology and Drug Development: Investigate marine organisms for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Source: IE