Plume Geochemistry Contributions from Hydrothermal Venting

June 06, 2024

 In their 2024 study, Fitzsimmons and Steffen reveal that hydrothermal vents play a crucial role in influencing seawater geochemistry. They highlight how hydrothermal plumes, formed by the mixing of vent fluids with ocean water, significantly modify oceanic elemental inventories through processes such as particle precipitation and scavenging, as evidenced by findings from the international GEOTRACES program.

Reference:

Fitzsimmons, J.N. and Steffen, J.M., 2024. THE “NET” IMPACT OF HYDROTHERMAL VENTING ON OCEANIC ELEMENTAL INVENTORIES. Oceanography, 37(2), pp.102-115. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2024.421

This figure from Fitzsimmons and Steffen (2024) illustrates how GEOTRACES research has transformed our understanding of elemental behavior in hydrothermal plumes, which is critical for assessing the “net” hydrothermal impact on oceanic elemental inventories. The studies have provided insights into tracing plume dilution and mixing, the rates and mechanisms of elemental scavenging onto particles from both seawater and hydrothermal fluid enrichments, and the extent and impact of persistent hydrothermal fluxes
Columbia Affiliations
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO)