Gartman, Amy, Yücel, Mustafa and Luther, George W (2014) An Introduction to the Major Chemical Components Released from Hydrothermal Vents. In: Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. . Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 1-11. ISBN 978-0-12-409548-9 DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09105-3.

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Abstract

Hydrothermal fluid forms as seawater are modified through interactions with heat and the earth's crust. These fluids emanate back into ocean water at hydrothermal vents on the seafloor. A major goal of the study of hydrothermal chemistry is to better constrain the impact that hydrothermal emissions have on the chemistry of the broader ocean, and how this chemistry differs between the varied vents found around the world's oceans. Here, processes and factors affecting the chemistry of hydrothermal fluid at high-temperature black smoker vents and the surrounding lower temperature diffuse flow zones are discussed. Chemical reactions that occur at vents are also considered, including organic synthesis and the formation of metal sulfides. The relationship between metals, sulfide, depth, spreading rate, and type of host system is explored through existing data. Because of the ongoing nature of this review, figures will be updated as more hydrothermal data are collected. This will provide both a basic introduction to hydrothermal chemistry and a data-driven review of the chemistry of high-temperature hydrothermal vents.

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