40 Years of Hydrothermal Vent Exploration | Nautilus Live

EVNautilus

18 Dec 201705:41

Summary

TLDRThe video explores hydrothermal vents, focusing on their geological significance and the unique ecosystems they support. Divers and scientists marvel at the geothermal springs, which are believed to be the cradle of life on Earth. They discuss the absence of megafauna and the prevalence of bacterial life, highlighting the vents' importance to biologists, chemists, geologists, and physicists. The footage captures the VanDamme Vent System, with its diverse marine life, including white shrimp that lack pigment and eyes. The video also covers the discovery of hydrothermal vents by Bob Ballard and the extreme conditions found near these vents, such as the black smokers with their high temperatures and metal concentrations. The expedition team sets up instruments to collect data and samples tube worms, emphasizing the role of chemosynthesis in this deep-sea environment.

Takeaways

🌋 Life on Earth may have originated in geothermal springs, which are considered the cradle of life.
🐚 The hydrothermal vents at 77 featured a diverse ecosystem including giant clams and megafauna.
🦠 The area discussed is primarily a bacterial-driven life system, which forms the basis for more complex life forms.
💧 The water temperatures vary at hydrothermal vents, with shimmering and bubbling water observed.
🌐 Hydrothermal vents are found near volcanically active areas where tectonic plates are moving apart.
🦐 White shrimp, lacking pigment and eyes, were observed, relying on light sensors for navigation.
🔥 Hydrothermal vents can reach temperatures over 326.6 degrees Celsius, much hotter than water's boiling point.
🌿 Life around the vents is based on chemosynthesis, a process where bacteria reduce hydrogen sulfide.
🔬 The Benthic and Resistivity Sensor (BARS) will be used to collect continuous data at the hydrothermal vents.
🌍 The exploration took place at the Endeavor segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.

Q & A

What is the likely origin of life on Earth according to the speaker?
-The speaker suggests that life on Earth likely began in a geothermal spring.
What type of life system is present at the location described in the script?
-The location described has a bacterial-driven life system, which is considered fundamental.
What do hydrothermal vents contribute to the study of various scientific fields?
-Hydrothermal vents are of interest to biologists for the life they support, to chemists for the chemistry of the planet, to geologists, and to physicists as they help calculate the heat budget of the planet.
What is the VanDamme Vent System and where is it located?
-The VanDamme Vent System is located in the central part of the Mid-Cayman Rise.
Why are the white shrimp at the hydrothermal vents considered fascinating?
-The white shrimp are fascinating because they lack pigment and eyes, instead having light sensors that help them navigate.
What is a hydrothermal vent and where are they typically found?
-A hydrothermal vent is a fissure in the Earth's surface from which geothermally heated water emerges, typically found near volcanically active places where tectonic plates are moving apart.
Who was the first person to discover hydrothermal vents in the Galapagos?
-Bob Ballard was the first person to discover hydrothermal vents in the Galapagos.
What are black smokers and how do they relate to hydrothermal vents?
-Black smokers are formations created by hydrothermal vents, where hot, mineral-rich water is expelled into the surrounding cold water, creating a 'smoke' of suspended particles.
What is chemosynthesis and how does it relate to life around hydrothermal vents?
-Chemosynthesis is a process where certain bacteria convert hydrogen sulfide into energy, forming the base of the food chain and supporting life around hydrothermal vents in the absence of sunlight.
What is the significance of the location described as the Endeavor segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge?
-The Endeavor segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge is significant as it is a spreading center between the Pacific plate and the Juan de Fuca plate, and it is home to various hydrothermal vents.
What is the purpose of the Benthic and Resistivity Sensor (BARS) instrument mentioned in the script?
-The BARS instrument is set up to collect continuous data over the next year or more at the hydrothermal vent site to monitor and study the underwater environment.

Outlines

00:00

🌋 Geothermal Life and Hydrothermal Vents Exploration

The first paragraph discusses the theory that life on Earth may have originated in geothermal springs, highlighting the fundamental nature of these environments. It describes an expedition to a hydrothermal vent system, noting the absence of megafauna and the prevalence of bacterial life. The paragraph details the visual observations of varying water temperatures, shimmering effects, bubbling water, and organic deposits. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary appeal of these vents, attracting biologists, chemists, geologists, and physicists for their unique life forms, chemical compositions, geological formations, and contributions to understanding the planet's heat budget. The VanDamme Vent System in the Mid-Cayman Rise is introduced, followed by observations of white shrimp, which are unique for their lack of pigment and eyes, relying on light sensors for navigation. The paragraph concludes with discussions on hydrothermal vents as fissures releasing geothermally heated water, the discovery of such vents by Bob Ballard, and the biological gradients near these vents, where life thrives in close proximity to extreme conditions.

05:00

🦐 Deep-Sea Vent Ecosystems and Nautilus Dive

The second paragraph focuses on the first dive of the Nautilus in Mexican waters, with the aim to study the vent structures and the biological activity occurring at these sites. It captures the excitement and awe of the team as they explore the deep-sea environment, characterized by vertical formations and vibrant marine life. The paragraph conveys the sense of wonder and discovery as the team documents and reacts to the stunning visuals of the underwater world, including the observation of tube worms at a hydrothermal vent site called North Aquinas Black Smoker in the Gulf of California.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Geothermal spring

A geothermal spring is a natural flow of water from the Earth's crust that is heated by geothermal energy. In the context of the video, it is suggested as the likely origin of life on Earth, highlighting the importance of these springs in the study of the planet's early conditions. The script mentions that life may have begun in such a spring, emphasizing the fundamental nature of these environments.

💡Hydrothermal vent

Hydrothermal vents are fissures in the Earth's surface from which geothermally heated water issues. They are typically found near volcanically active areas where tectonic plates are moving apart. The video discusses these vents as fascinating environments that support a variety of life forms and are of interest to biologists, chemists, geologists, and physicists due to the unique conditions they create.

💡Megafauna

Megafauna refers to large animals, typically those that are much larger than the average species found in a particular environment. In the script, the absence of megafauna at the observed site is noted, suggesting a different ecosystem dominated by bacterial life. This contrast highlights the diversity of life forms that can be supported by hydrothermal vents.

💡Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis is a biological process where energy is produced from the oxidation of inorganic substances, such as hydrogen sulfide. This process is crucial for life in the deep sea, particularly around hydrothermal vents where sunlight is absent. The video explains that life around the vents is based on chemosynthesis, supported by bacteria that have mutualistic relationships with animals, illustrating the unique ecological niches these vents support.

💡Black smokers

Black smokers are a type of hydrothermal vent that emits dark plumes of mineral-rich water, often containing high concentrations of heavy metals and sulfur. The video describes these vents as having extreme temperature and chemical gradients, which create harsh but habitable conditions for certain organisms. The term is used to illustrate the dramatic environmental conditions found near hydrothermal vents.

💡Benthic and Resistivity Sensor (BARS)

The Benthic and Resistivity Sensor, or BARS, is an instrument mentioned in the script that is used to collect continuous data at hydrothermal vent sites. It is deployed to monitor the underwater environment over an extended period, providing valuable scientific data on the dynamics of these geological features. The BARS instrument exemplifies the technological tools used in the study of hydrothermal vents.

💡Juan de Fuca Ridge

The Juan de Fuca Ridge is a tectonic plate boundary off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is the location of the Endeavor segment, which is highlighted in the video as a particularly active area for hydrothermal vents. The ridge is significant in the study of plate tectonics and the formation of new oceanic crust, and the video uses it as a backdrop to discuss the geological processes associated with hydrothermal vent formation.

💡Tube worms

Tube worms are a type of invertebrate that live in large colonies around hydrothermal vents. They are notable for their ability to survive in extreme conditions and for their symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic bacteria. The video mentions sampling tube worms, emphasizing the biological diversity and the unique adaptations of life forms found in these extreme environments.

💡North Aquinas Black Smoker

The North Aquinas Black Smoker is a specific hydrothermal vent site located in the Gulf of California, mentioned as the first dive site for Nautilus in Mexican waters. The video discusses the exploration and characterization of this site, including the study of its vent structures and the biological activity occurring there. This site serves as a focal point for the scientific investigation of hydrothermal vent ecosystems.

💡Mutualistic relationships

Mutualistic relationships refer to interactions between two different species where both benefit. In the context of the video, these relationships are crucial for the survival of certain animals near hydrothermal vents, which rely on chemosynthetic bacteria for energy. The script highlights the interdependence of life forms in these extreme environments, showcasing the complex ecological web that exists around vents.

💡Thermocline

A thermocline is a layer in a body of water where the temperature changes rapidly with depth. Although not explicitly mentioned in the script, the concept is relevant to the discussion of hydrothermal vents, where the temperature can vary dramatically over short distances. The video describes how the temperature and chemical gradients near vents create distinct zones of habitability for different organisms.

Highlights

Life on Earth may have begun in geothermal springs.

Hydrothermal vents support a bacterial-driven life system.

The VanDamme Vent System is located in the central part of the Mid-Cayman Rise.

White shrimp in hydrothermal vents lack pigment and eyes, relying on light sensors.

Hydrothermal vents are fissures in the planet's surface with geothermally-heated water.

Bob Ballard was the first to discover hydrothermal vents in the Galapagos.

Black smokers form near hydrothermal vents with high temperatures and heavy metal concentrations.

Life around vents is based on chemosynthesis, reducing hydrogen sulfide.

The Endeavor segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge is a spreading center between tectonic plates.

The Endeavor Field is the most-active segment of hydrothermal vents within the Endeavor segment.

The Benthic and Resistivity Sensor (BARS) will collect continuous data at the hydrothermal vent site.

North Aquinas Black Smoker is being characterized for different vent structures and biology.

The Nautilus' first dive in Mexico waters aims to study venting and biology at hydrothermal sites.

Hydrothermal vents are found in areas with volcanic activity where tectonic plates are moving apart.

Chemosynthetic bacteria have mutualistic relationships with many animals living near vents.

The environment around hydrothermal vents is visually thrilling but challenging for pilots.

A hydrothermal vent site with a temperature of 326.6 degrees Celsius was discovered.