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Active Underwater Hot Spring
Context:
Indian oceanographers have captured the first image of an active hydrothermal vent located 4,500 meters below the surface of the Indian Ocean.
More on News:
- This discovery is part of India’s Rs 4,000-crore Deep Ocean Mission under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The AUV launched from the research vessel Sagar Nidhi captured images of an active hydrothermal vent, including the vent chimney and black smokers, with signs of chemosynthetic organisms (microbes that rely on chemicals, not sunlight, for food).
Key Highlights:
- Hydrothermal Vents: Hydrothermal vents are underwater springs formed in tectonically active regions where cold seawater interacts with magma beneath the ocean floor. The water gets superheated (up to 370°C) and emerges as plumes rich in minerals and gases through vent chimneys.
- Technological Achievement: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa, in collaboration with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, used an automatic underwater vehicle (AUV) to capture the high-resolution image.
- Mineral Exploration: These hydrothermal vents are rich in minerals such as copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, iron, cobalt, and nickel, making them valuable for mineral exploration.
- Duration of Activity: Hydrothermal vents can remain active for hundreds to tens of thousands of years, providing a continuous source of minerals and supporting unique ecosystems.
Significance:
- This discovery will enhance India’s Deep Ocean Mission, especially the Samudrayaan mission, which focuses on mineral exploration from inactive hydrothermal vents.
- The findings provide visual confirmation of previously detected hydrothermal vent sites, confirming their economic potential and supporting further exploration.
Implications:
- Hydrothermal venting can remain active for hundreds to 30,000 years, making them significant for both economic and biological studies.
- In the next phase, NCPOR plans TV-guided grab sampling to further study the associated features and economic potential of these vent deposits.
