Hydrothermal activity at Hook Ridge in the Central Bransfield Basin, Antarctica

 Hydrothermal activity in the Central Bransfield Basin revealed an active low-temperature vent field on top of a submarine volcanic structure. A temperature anomaly was detected and the sea floor showed various patches of white silica (opal-A) precipitate exposures and some yellow–brown Fe-oxyhydroxide crusts. Enriched dissolved methane concentrations were encountered. Sediment was near 24°C just after the grab came on deck. No dense population of chemosynthetically based macrofauna known from other hydrothermal venting areas was present, except for pogonophora. The observations suggest that the sedimented hydrothermal field at Hook Ridge is a low-temperature end-member branch from a deeper hydrothermal source. Received: 7 October 1998 / Revision received: 15 January 1999     

现代海底热液场低温弥散流区微生物生态的研究进展

现代海底低温热液弥散流区微生物生态的发育情况已经成为当前热液系统研究关注的热点之一。大量的分析表明在低温热液弥散流区赋存着丰富的化能自养微生物,以硫、铁等元素的氧化还原反应获取新陈代谢能量,这些微生物的分布与低温热液流体的物理化学条件有着密切的联系。这些发现极大地丰富了我们对低温弥散流区微生物生态、关键地球化学过程与微生物新陈代谢耦合关系的认识。此外,低温热液流体是研究洋壳深部生物圈的窗口,通过这个窗口可以了解地壳内部生命的新陈代谢方式,进而理解地球内部微生物与洋壳内部流体、岩石之间的相互作用机制。     

Deep-sea hydrothermal microplume generation – a case study from the North Fiji Basin

A diffusely venting, low-temperature (<13 °C) hydrothermal field was detected in the North Fiji Basin, using the newly developed Hydro Bottom Station. According to the fluid chemistry (gas-rich, salt-depleted), its fluids derive from subcritical boiling in the underground and represent a condensed vapour phase strongly diluted with entrained seawater. A rhythmic expulsion of hydrothermal fluids is substantiated by microplumes observed in multiprobe profiles in the near-bottom water column. These microplumes were successfully predicted by modelling the thermal convection above the seafloor. The pattern of venting is reminiscent of geyser activity on land caused by subcritical subsurface boiling.     

台湾龟山岛东南部海域白色热泉特征分析

海底热液活动及其周边环境的调查研究是海洋科学领域的热点之一。海底热液喷口环境的物理化学参数,尤其是浅水型热液,会受到潮汐变化的影响。台湾龟山岛靠近冲绳海槽南端分布有多处浅水型热液喷口(30m)。2010年5月,浙江大学、杭州电子科技大学和台湾中山大学对该海域实施了联合考察,利用电化学传感器获得了低温热液喷口(24.834 14°N,121.961 91°E)连续87h的温度和pH现场观测数据。基于Morlet复小波变换方法,分析了浅水型热液喷口的温度和pH现场观测时间序列的变化周期,并通过与当地潮汐记录数据作比较,获得了其与潮汐信号之间的潜在关系,证实了潮汐变化是海底白色热泉喷口物理化学参数现场观测最主要的影响因素。温度和pH现场观测数据经Morlet复小波变换后的小波系数分别存在规律的12.9h和12.5h变化周期,并且温度的小波系数在准半日周期尺度与潮汐高度呈负相关变化,相关系数为-0.89;pH的小波系数情况相反,相关系数为0.76。     

超慢速扩张环境下超镁铁质岩系统的热液硫化物成矿机理以及启示

西南印度洋63.5°E热液区是在超慢速扩张洋脊发现的首个超镁铁质岩热液系统。对取自该区的热液硫化物样品进行了系统的矿物学和地球化学分析,矿物学分析结果表明:该热液区硫化物为富Fe型高温硫化物,且经历了较深程度的氧化蚀变,大量中间态的Fe氧化物充填在硫化物矿物间的孔隙及内部解理中;这些硫化物相以白铁矿为主,其次是等轴古巴矿和少量铜蓝,缺乏黄铁矿、闪锌矿。据推断,该区的热液成矿作用分为4个阶段:低温白铁矿阶段→高温等轴古巴矿阶段→自形白铁矿阶段→后期海底风化阶段（少量铜蓝以及大量的Fe的羟氧化物）。与之相对应,地球化学分析结果表明这些硫化物的Fe含量较高（31.57%~44.59%）,Cu含量次之（0.16%~7.24%）,而Zn含量普遍较低（0.01%~0.11%）;微量元素较为富集Co（328×10-6~2 400×10-6）和Mn（48.5×10-6~1 730×10-6）。该区硫化物中较高含量的Fe、Co与超镁铁质岩热液系统相似,明显高于镁铁质岩热液系统。独特的热液硫化物矿物学特征和元素组成可能与该区普遍出露的地幔岩、橄榄岩蛇纹石化作用以及拆离断层的广泛发育的环境有关。     

现代海底热液活动的热和物质通量估算

对现代海底热液活动所导致的热和物质的通量研究是非常重要的,因为这不仅涉及到海洋环境研究的基础,而且涉及到海水性质的历史演化.当前对热通量估算的主要依据是来自对热液烟囱、低温扩散流及洋中脊的观测数据, 然而在对烟囱体热通量的估算中很少考虑同时存在的传导项,半空间冷却模型的热通量密度函数与实际数据误差较大.因此,应用了三种方法重新估算了热液活动的热通量:(1)通过烟囱体及扩散流估算的热液热通量为97.359 GW;(2)通过热液羽状体估算的热通量为84.895 GW;(3)利用所提出的指数衰减法,通过洋壳传导通量估算的热通量为4.11 TW.对物质通量估算的研究较少,其原因是现场观测数据太少.以大西洋中脊TAG区热液流体为代表首次估算了不同元素的物质通量.用不同方法所得估算值的差异反映了人类对热液活动的认知程度,系统地现场观测将有助于准确估算热液活动对海洋的贡献.     

Heat and mass flux estimation of modem seafloor hydrothermal activity

Research on heat and mass flux yielded by modern seafloor hydrothermal activity is very important, because it is involved not only in the base of ocean environment research, but also in the historical evolution of seawater properties. Currently, estimating heat flux is based on the observation data of hydrothermal smokers, low-temperature diffusive flow and mid-ocean ridge mainly. But there are some faults, for example, there is lack of a concurrent conductive item in estimating the heat flux by smokers and the error between the half-space cooling model and the observation data is too large. So, three kinds of methods are applied to re-estimating the heat flux of hydrothermal activity resepectively, corresponding estimation is 97. 359 GW by hydrothermal smoker and diffusive flow, 84.895 GW by hydrothermal plume, and 4. 11 TW by exponential attenuation method put forward by this paper. Research on mass flux estimation is relatively rare, the main reason for this is insufficient field observation data. Mass fluxes of different elements are calculated using hydrothermal vent fluid data from the TAG hydrothermal area on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge for the first time. Difference of estimations by different methods reflects the researching extent of hydrothermal activity, and systematically in - situ observation will help to estimate the contribution of hydrothermal activity to ocean chemical environment, ocean circulation and global climate precisely.     

Heat and mass flux estimation of modern seafloor hydrothermal activity

1Introduction Heat flux yielded by modern seafloor hydrother-mal activity could be next only to heat radiation fromthe sun to the earth, and be similar to energy pro-duced by volcanism. And mass flux of hydrothermalactivity could be close to that of river…     

Two-stage influences of hydrothermal fluids on pumice near the Iheya North hydrothermal field,Okinawa Trough

Hydrothermal precipitates and hydrothermal alteration products could record important information about temporal variations of seafloor hydrothermal systems. Geochemistry, mineralogy, and microscopic features of three pumice samples (T3-1, T3-2, and T3-3) near the Iheya North hydrothermal field were analyzed in this article. The results show that T3-3 sample has undergone at least two-stage influences by hydrothermal fluids. In the first stage, pure amorphous silica from hydrothermal fluid precipitated in the vesicles of all three T3 samples as a result of conductive cooling and fluid–seawater mixing. The precipitation temperatures according to oxygen isotope thermometer are approximately 13–21°C. In the second stage, T3-3 pumice underwent low-temperature hydrothermal alteration, during which the amorphous silica precipitates were redissolved, together resulting in losses of FeO and SiO₂ and gains of MgO, Pb, Zn, and Cu. Furthermore, ferruginous filamentous silica, which might be related to activities of Fe-oxidizing bacteria, was formed in the altered pumice. The transformation from pure amorphous silica precipitation to redissolution of the silica in T3-3 pumice might indicate a rise of temperature and/or decrease in silica concentrations in hydrothermal fluids, implying a changing hydrothermal environment.     

冲绳海槽中、南部热液活动区金属硫化物的地球化学特征

对新近(2014年)采自冲绳海槽南部Yonaguni Knoll IV热液活动区和中部伊平屋热液活动区的金属硫化物样品分别进行了X射线荧光光谱(XRF)和等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)分析,旨在通过对比分析两个热液活动区金属硫化物的元素地球化学特征,探讨两个不同热液活动区成矿元素的富集规律、热液成矿的作用过程及其区域差异。研究结果表明:在冲绳海槽中部和南部热液区分布有两种金属硫化物,分别为富Fe-Zn型硫化物和Ba-Zn-Pb型硫化物(+硫酸盐);相较于大洋中脊和其它弧后盆地的热液硫化物,研究区硫化物中Pb的含量明显较高,而Cu和Fe的含量相对较低,这与冲绳海槽存在较厚的沉积盖层有关;无论是常量元素、微量元素、还是稀土元素(REE),其含量和相关的特征值都变化较大,表明研究区热液硫化物形成于不同的热液成矿阶段;富Fe-Zn型硫化物是在高温热液活动阶段形成的,而Ba-Zn-Pb型硫化物(+硫酸盐)则形成于热液喷出海底与海水混合的过程中,成矿温度较低;即使在同一热液活动区,成矿环境也有较大变化,主要表现在成矿温度的波动上;研究区热液硫化物中REE的配分模式特征表明硫化物中REE的物源相同,但经历的过程(REE的迁移和富集)有所不同,反映了热液硫化物形成于不同的热液成矿阶段;热液成矿作用存在区域性差异,海槽南部的成矿温度较中部低,成矿物质来源方面,南部热液区硫化物的Pb含量较中部高,表明其成矿物质可能部分来源于沉积物。     

Metalliferous Sediment and a Silica-Hematite Deposit within the Blanco Fracture Zone,Northeast Pacific

A Tiburon ROV dive within the East Blanco Depression (EBD) increased the mapped extent of a known hydrothermal field by an order of magnitude. In addition, a unique opal-CT (cristobalite-tridymite)-hematite mound was discovered, and mineralized sediments and rock were collected and analyzed. Silica-hematite mounds have not previously been found on the deep ocean floor. The light-weight rock of the porous mound consists predominantly of opal-CT and hematite filaments, rods, and strands, and averages 77.8% SiO₂ and 11.8% Fe₂O₃. The hematite and opal-CT precipitated from a low-temperature (≥ 115° C), strongly oxidized, silica- and iron-rich, sulfur-poor hydrothermal fluid; a bacterial mat provided the framework for precipitation.

Samples collected from a volcaniclastic rock outcrop consist primarily of quartz with lesser plagioclase, smectite, pyroxene, and sulfides; SiO₂ content averages 72.5%. Formation of these quartz-rich samples is best explained by cooling in an up-flow zone of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids within a low permeability system. Opal-A, opal-CT, and quartz mineralization found in different places within the EBD hydrothermal field likely reflects decreasing silica saturation and increasing temperature of the mineralizing fluid with increasing silica crystallinity.

Six push cores recovered gravel, coarse sand, and mud mineralized variously by Fe or Mn oxides, silica, and sulfides. Total rare-earth element concentrations are low for both the rock and push core samples. Ce and Eu anomalies reflect high and low temperature hydrothermal components and detrital phases.

A remarkable variety of types of mineralization occur within the EBD field, yet a consistent suite of elements is enriched (relative to basalt and unmineralized cores) in all samples analyzed: Ag, Au, S, Mo, Hg, As, Sb, Sr, and U; most samples are also enriched in Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn. On the basis of these element enrichments, the EBD hydrothermal field might best be described as a base- and precious-metal-bearing, silica-Fe-oxide-barite deposit. Such deposits are commonly spatially and temporally associated with volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) ores. A plot of data for pathfinder elements shows a large hot spot at the northwestern margin of the field, which may mark a region where moderate to high temperature sulfide deposits are forming at depth; further exploration of the hydrothermal field to the northwest is warranted.     

西南印度洋中脊表层沉积物中存在热液组分的地球化学证据

Hydrothermal materials in deep-sea sediments provide a robust tracer to the localized hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges. Major, trace and rare earth element(REE) data for surface sediments collected from the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge are presented to examine the existence of hydrothermal component.Biogenic carbonate oozes dominate all the sediment samples, with CaO content varying from 85.5% to 89.9% on a volatile-free basis. The leaching residue of bulk sediments by ~5% HCl is compositionally comparable to the Upper Continental Crust(UCC) in SiO_2, Al_2O_3, CaO, MgO, alkali elements(Rb, Cs) and high field strength elements(Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti). These detritus-hosted elements are inferred to be prominently derived from the Australian continent by means of eolian dust, while the contribution of local volcaniclastics is insignificant. In addition, the residual fraction shows a clear enrichment in Fe, Mn, and Ba compared with the UCC. Combining the positive Eu anomaly of residual fraction which is opposed to the UCC but the characteristic of hydrothermal fluids and associated precipitates occurred at mid-ocean ridges, the incorporation of localized hydrothermal component can be constrained. REE mixing calculations indicate that more than half REE within the residual fraction(~55%–60%) are derived from a hydrothermal component, which is inferred to be resulted from a diffuse fluid mineralization. The low-temperature diffuse flow may be widely distributed along the slow-ultraslow spreading ridges where crustal faults and fissures abound, and probably have a great mineralization potential.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sediments from the serpentinite-hosted Saldanha hydrothermal field (36°34′N; 33°26′W) at MAR

The Saldanha hydrothermal field is located at the top of a serpentinized massif (Mount Saldanha, MS) at a non-transform offset (NTO5) along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), south of the Azores. It is one of the rare known sites on a worldwide basis where direct evidence of low-temperature (7–9 °C) hydrothermal activity has been provided by direct observation of hydrothermal fluid venting through small orifices in the ocean floor sedimentary cover. This study focuses on the mineralogy and geochemistry of 14 sediment cores collected at MS. For comparison, four samples collected at the Rainbow site (NTO6) were also studied. Mount Saldanha hydrothermal sediments are highly “diluted” within a dominant foraminiferal nanofossiliferous ooze with small fragments of underlying rocks. The mineral assemblage of the hydrothermal component is characterized by sulphides, nontronite, smectites, poorly crystallized Mn oxyhydroxides and amorphous material. Cu, Zn and Fe sulphides, Mn–Mg oxy-hydroxides and putative manganobrucite were also identified in one sample collected at an orifice vent. In this sample, micro-chimneys (conduits) composed of isocubanite and sphalerite were also identified. Mount Saldanha sediments show a clear enrichment in elements such as Mn, Mg, Fe, Cu, P and V, derived from hydrothermal fluids, and Ni, Cr and Co, derived from ultramafic rocks. The geochemical data together with the observed mineral assemblage suggest that the hydrothermal fluids are at a higher temperature than those measured at the escape orifices (7–9 °C), and a strong enrichment in Mg, mainly at the top of the mount, agrees with extensive mixing of the hydrothermal fluid with unmodified seawater. Nevertheless, the mineral assemblage of MS sediments is consistent with the precipitation from hydrothermal fluids at much lower temperatures than at Rainbow. The presence of serpentinized and steatitized (talcshist) ultramafic rocks and the occurrence of a strong methane anomaly within the overlying water column collectively suggest that the hydrothermal circulation at MS is driven by exothermic reactions closely associated with the serpentinization process. Rainbow sediments have a higher concentration in transition metals and consequently an enrichment in sulphides. These differences are likely to be a consequence of the higher temperature of hydrothermal fluids, reflected in the composition of hydrothermal solutions, and of a stronger hydrothermal flux at the Rainbow site.     

Geologic setting of the Snake Pit hydrothermal site: An active vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

TheSnake Pit Hydrothermal Site lies on the axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 23°22′ N latitude, about 30 km south of the Kane Transform Intersection. Active ‘black smoker’ vents and a surrounding field of hydrothermal sediment occur at the crest of a laterally extensive neovolcanic ridge. It is one of the first active hydrothermal vent fields to be found on a slow-spreading ridge axis and despite significant differences in its geologic setting from those of the East Pacific Rise, has many similarities to its fast-spreading counterparts. Although preliminary reports have documented many interesting aspects of these vents and their surroundings, new data collected from the manned submersible ALVIN and the deep-towed ANGUS camera system define the regional tectonic setting as well as the local geologic environment of this fascinating area. The Snake Pit vents are located on a local peak of a volcanic constructional ridge at a depth of 3450 m, 700–800 m deeper than vents known from the East Pacific Rise, Galapagos, or Juan de Fuca spreading centers. The vent field is at least 600 m long and up to 200 m wide and is covered by a thick blanket of greenish to yellow-orange hydrothermal sediment. Both active and extinct vents are perched along the crests of steep-sided sulfide mounds that reach heights of over 40 m. High-temperature (350° C) fluids are vented from black smoker chimneys and low-temperature (226° C) fluids seep from sulphide domes and subordinate anhydrite constructions. Water temperatures, flow rates, fluid chemistries, and mineralization are strikingly similar to vents of faster spreading ridge crests; however, a somewhat distinct fauna inhabit the area.     

Geochemistry and stable isotope constraints on high-temperature activity from sediment cores of the Saldanha hydrothermal field

The Saldanha hydrothermal field is hosted atop a mafic–ultramafic seamount, located at a non-transform offset on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Previous observations revealed a field where transparent low-temperature fluids discharge through centimeter-sized vents without the formation of chimney structures. We present geochemical and stable isotope (O and C) analyses from sediment samples collected at this field, both at and far from the vent area. Most sediments, including some directly adjacent to orifice vents, are pelagic oozes with only a weak hydrothermal overprinting. Hydrothermal precipitates are characterized by Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides and a minor amount of Cu–Zn sulphide minerals. However, one of the cores (SCD7) collected at the vent area shows a much stronger hydrothermal signature. This core is composed of a matrix of serpentine + talc ± chlorite with high porosity, where calcite + chalcopyrite + sphalerite/wurtzite ± pyrite–pyrrhotite were precipitated. In this core, metal enrichments, REE patterns, and the oxygen and carbon isotope composition of calcites indicate that mineralization must have occurred in the subsurface by high-temperature fluids, with minor mixing with seawater and with a significant magmatic contribution. Thus, while most samples confirm previous findings indicating that Saldanha hydrothermal fluid discharge is mainly diffuse and of low temperature, data from core SCD7 suggest that areas of high-temperature hydrothermal activity also occur, where temperatures of the fluids could reach > 260 °C and maximum temperatures of 330 °C. We suggest that fluids can flow through faults at the top of the mount and discharge in a more focused way through vent orifices, producing intense hydrothermal alteration of the sediments. At these locations complex hydrothermal processes occur, including reactions of the hydrothermal fluids with mafic and ultramafic rocks and magma degassing, as suggested by the carbon isotope composition of hydrothermal calcites. The high temperature of the fluid inferred from the geochemistry of the hydrothermal minerals requires a significant heat input to the system, suggesting an additional magmatic heat source to the already proposed exothermic serpentinization reactions.     

Control of the stress field on shallow seafloor hydrothermal paths: A case study of the TAG hydrothermal field

The stress state and rock mechanical properties govern the growth of faults and fractures, which constitute shallow hydrothermal pathways and control the distribution of seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) mounds in the seafloor hydrothermal field. The stress field has an important influence on the formation and persistence of hydrothermal pathways. Based on multibeam bathymetric data from the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) field, we establish two three-dimensional geological models with different scales to simulate the stress field, which investigate the characteristics of hydrothermal pathways and associated SMS mounds. The simulation results show that oblique faults and fissures form in the tensile stress zone and that mounds, including active and inactive hydrothermal mounds form in the compressive stress zone. Fault activity, which is related to the stress field, affects the opening and closing of hydrothermal channels and changes the permeability structure of subseafloor wall rock. Therefore, the stress field controls the development and persistence of shallow hydrothermal pathways. The features of shallow hydrothermal pathways in the stress field can provide geomechanical information that is useful for identifying favorable zone for SMS deposit formation.     

海底热液成因含金属沉积物的研究现状及展望

海底热液成因含金属沉积物广泛分布于全球各大洋与弧后活动扩张中心、大洋玄武岩上覆沉积层的底部以及板内火山的顶部等区域.块状硫化物烟囱体经氧化蚀变发生再沉积作用、热液羽流的扩散和沉降作用或低温弥散流的直接沉淀均可形成含金属沉积物.尽管不同热液区的含金属沉积物在矿物和化学组成上具有一定的差异,但其相对正常远洋沉积物均表现为富...     

New Observations on the Distribution of Past and Present Hydrothermal Activity in the TAG Area of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (26°08′ N)

Seafloor acoustic and photographic imagery combined with high- resolution bathymetry are used to investigate the geologic and tectonic relations between active and relict zones of hydrothermal venting in the TAG (Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse) hydrothermal field at 26°08N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The TAG field consists of a large, currently active, high-temperature mound, two relict zones (the Alvin and Mir zones), and an active low-temperature zone. The active mound and the Alvin relict zone lie along a series of closely-spaced, axis-parallel (NNE-trending) faults in an area of active extension east of the neovolcanic zone. The Alvin zone extends for 2.5 km along these faults from the valley floor onto the eastern wall, and consists of at least five mounds identified using DSL-120 sidescan sonar and bathymetric data. The existence of sulfide structures on most of these mounds is verified with near-bottom electronic still camera (ESC) images from the Argo-II deep-towed vehicle, and is confirmed in at least one case with collected samples. Two of these mounds were previously unidentified. The existence of these mounds extends the length of the Alvin zone by ~0.5 km to the south. Much of the Alvin relict zone appears to be buried by debris from a large mass wasting event on the eastern wall of the median valley. The Mir zone, located on normal fault blocks of the eastern valley wall, cannot be clearly identified in the sidescan data and no structural connections from it to the active mound or Alvin zone can be discerned. The active mound is located at the intersection of an older oblique fault set with the younger axis- parallel faults which extend into the Alvin relict zone, and no fresh volcanics are observed in the vicinity of the mound. The fact that both the active mound and the Alvin relict zone lie along the same set of active, axis-parallel faults suggests that the faults may be a major control on the location of hydrothermal activity by providing pathways for fluid flow from a heat source at the ridge axis.     

西南印度洋脊龙旂热液区蚀变岩岩石学特征及对热液流体循环的指示

慢速-超慢速扩张洋脊的海底热液活动区多出露类型多样的蚀变岩石,记录了地壳深部的流体与围岩的相互作用,为研究深部热液流体特征以及循环过程提供了样本。本研究选取了中国大洋第30、34和40航次在超慢速扩张西南印度洋脊龙旂热液区(A区、B区和C区)利用电视抓斗采集的蚀变玄武岩、蚀变辉长岩、蚀变辉石岩和蛇纹岩等蚀变岩样品,利用光学显微镜、电子探针开展了岩相学和矿物化学分析。岩相学结果表明,龙旂热液区蚀变岩石样品约95%发生了地壳浅部的脆性变形作用,靠近龙旂1号热液区(A区)约有5%的蚀变岩石混合发育了脆性变形及脆性-塑性变形特征。研究区岩石蚀变属于中-低温变质作用,变质相近似绿片岩相,变质矿物组合为绿泥石-绿帘石-钠长石-阳起石-榍石。其中,A区的蚀变岩中的绿泥石形成温度(201～341℃)以及蛇纹石、阳起石、绿泥石等蚀变矿物的Fe元素含量(17.5%～27.5%)都高于龙旂3号热液区(B区和C区)的绿泥石形成温度(239～303℃)和Fe元素含量(16.8%～26.5%),这也与在该区观测到高温的热液喷口相符合。本研究认为龙旂热液区所在洋脊段发育的拆离断层为热液流体的向上运移提供了通道,洋壳...     

A dual sensor device to estimate fluid flow velocity at diffuse hydrothermal vents

Numerous attempts have been made over the last thirty years to estimate fluid flow rates at hydrothermal vents, either at the exit of black smoker chimneys or within diffuse flow areas. In this study, we combine two methods to accurately estimate fluid flow velocities at diffuse flow areas. While the first method uses a hot film anemometer that performs high-frequency measurements, the second allows a relatively rapid assessment of fluid flow velocity through video imagery and provides in situ data to calibrate the sensor. Measurements of flow velocities on hydrothermal diffuse flow areas were obtained on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). They range from 1.1 to 4.9 mm/s at the substratum level, in low-temperature (4.5–16.4 °C) diffuse flow areas from the Tour Eiffel sulfide edifice. A strong correlation was observed between fluid flow velocities and temperature, supporting the possible use of temperature as a proxy to estimate the flow rates in diffuse flow areas where such a simple linear flow/temperature relation is shown to dominate.