From Cold Seeps to Hydrothermal Vents: Geology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Ecology in Marine and Coastal Environments

Download or read book From Cold Seeps to Hydrothermal Vents: Geology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Ecology in Marine and Coastal Environments written by Glen T. Snyder and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2024-10-17 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seafloor fluid and gas emission has been revealed to be a geographically widespread phenomenon in recent years as researchers have discovered new off-axis hydrothermal vent fields and previously unmapped shallow (deltaic, continental shelf) and deep water cold seeps. Seafloor seep emissions play a critical role in global biogeochemical cycles, but also contribute to the development of economically important mineral deposits that are increasingly targeted for exploitation. Hydrothermal vents and cold seeps host unique microbiological and macrofaunal communities that provide clues to life on primordial Earth, and seafloor fluid and gas emissions play a complex role in microbial dispersal, ocean chemistry, plankton dynamics, and possibly global climate. This Research Topic will address the knowledge gaps about the linked chemistry, macro/microbiology, physics, and geology of seafloor emissions and explore both the economic potential and conservation efforts associated with hydrothermal vents and cold seeps.