Deep Sea Thermal Vents

Deep sea thermal vents occur NE of the Galapagos Islands where the Pacific and Nazcas Tectonic Plates are separ- ating.

Manned deep sea submarines capable of withstanding tremendous pressure are used to explore the vents which are more than one mile deep in the ocean.

1.5 miles deep in the ocean, this is what one would see when looking out the window of a deep see sumbersible like Alvin.

There is no light and the water temperature is barely above freezing.

Deep Sea Thermal Vents at the Galapagos Islands were discovered in 1979. Their discovery is considered the second most important Biological discovery, the first being the discovery of the double helix.

The volcanic rocks at thermal vents contain a great deal of sulfur.

The volcanic rocks at thermal vents contain a great deal of sulfur. The water pouring out of the vents may be up to 600oF.

The volcanic rocks at thermal vents contain a great deal of sulfur. The water pouring out of the vents may be up to 600oF. The hot water dissolves sulfur from the rocks creating the compound hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

H2S +

H2S + Hydrogen sulfide

H2S + CO2 + Hydrogen sulfide

H2S + CO2 + Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide

H2S + CO2 + H2O + Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide

H2S + CO2 + H2O + Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 ___ Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 ___ Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen HEAT

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 ___ C6H12O6 + Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen HEAT

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 ___ C6H12O6 + Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen HEAT Glucose

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 ___ C6H12O6 + H2SO4 Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen HEAT Glucose

H2S + CO2 + H2O + O2 ___ C6H12O6 + H2SO4 Hydrogen sulfide Carbon dioxide Water Oxygen HEAT Glucose Sulfuric Acid

The key in this formula is that energy is fixed in a molecule of glucose.

The key in this formula is that energy is fixed in a molecule of glucose. Like light, heat energy cannot be stored.

The key in this formula is that energy is fixed in a molecule of glucose. Like light, heat energy cannot be stored. But glucose can!

At deep sea thermal vents, this reaction occurs in bacteria. They produce glucose.

At deep sea thermal vents, this reaction occurs in bacteria. They produce glucose. In deep sea thermal vent food webs, bacteria are the producers.

At deep sea thermal vents, this reaction occurs in bacteria. They produce glucose. In deep sea thermal vent food webs, bacteria are the producers. This glucose producing reaction is called chemosynthesis.

Until the late 1970’s and early 1980’s we assumed that all life on Earth existed on energy that came from the sun. So, life on Earth can continue to exist even if the sun burns out.