Communities Around Black Smokers Flashcards
What are deep-sea vents?
Deep sea vents are places, particularly associated with mid-ocean ridges.
Characteristics of deep-sea vents?
DEEP, DARK, COLD
( all characteristics that would not be associated with life )
What happens at deep-sea vents?
Very salty water seeps into the cracks in the newly formed crust. This then percolates (moves slowly through the substance) its way around the newly formed crust (getting heated as it does) and then eventually it will dissolve some of the minerals that are a part of that newly formed crust, especially as the temperature heats up.
What is the most IMPORTANT thing that a deep sea vent is going to do?
This really hot water (hot steam) is actually going to hit super cold seawater. This forms a precipitate.
(precipitate is associated with the formation of solid material from a solution. It’s when solids cannot dissolve anymore, so they come out).
What are the three common types of hydrothermal vents?
-Black Smokers
-White Smokers
-Alkaline Vents
What do black smokers do?
Eject VERY HOT (350c) sea water rich in DISSOLVED IRON & COPPER SULFIDES.
What do white smokers do?
Eject HOT (250c) seawater rich in CALCIUM AND BARIUM SULFATES.
What do Alkaline vents do?
Eject WARM (60c) seawater rich in HYDROGEN AND SUFLUR.
What is a chemosynthetic community?
Organisms that were able to generate organic molecules through chemical reactions, NOT Sunlight.
What is the base of the food chain in chemosynthetic communities?
Bacteria
What are the first-order consumers of the food chain in chemosynthetic communities?
Zooplankton
What are the second-order consumers of the food chain in chemosynthetic communities?
Large Crabs/Fish
What is a black smoker?
A type of hydrothermal vent found on the seafloor.
What organisms are common in hydrothermal systems?
Tube worms + mussels
