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Constrained circulation at Endeavour ridge facilitates colonization by vent larvae

Nature volume 424, pages 545–549 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Understanding how larvae from extant hydrothermal vent fields colonize neighbouring regions of the mid-ocean ridge system remains a major challenge in oceanic research1,2. Among the factors considered important in the recruitment of deep-sea larvae are metabolic lifespan, the connectivity of the seafloor topography, and the characteristics of the currents3. Here we use current velocity measurements from Endeavour ridge to examine the role of topographically constrained circulation on larval transport along-ridge. We show that the dominant tidal and wind-generated currents in the region are strongly attenuated within the rift valley that splits the ridge crest, and that hydrothermal plumes rising from vent fields in the valley drive a steady near-bottom inflow within the valley. Extrapolation of these findings suggests that the suppression of oscillatory currents within rift valleys of mid-ocean ridges shields larvae from cross-axis dispersal into the inhospitable deep ocean. This effect, augmented by plume-driven circulation within rift valleys having active hydrothermal venting, helps retain larvae near their source. Larvae are then exported preferentially down-ridge during regional flow events that intermittently over-ride the currents within the valley.

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Figure 1: Chart of Endeavour ridge with an expanded view of the axial valley region.
Figure 2: Current ellipses and vectors for the four major tidal constituents and inertial currents (f) for all five depths for the south mooring site in the year 2000.
Figure 3: Daily mean current vectors.
Figure 4: Diagram of the dominant flow within the axial valley of Endeavour ridge.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the IOS Mooring Group of T. Juhász and D. Spear for successful deployment and recovery of all instruments; K. Conley and D. Andrie of the Oceans Division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada for helping fund the moorings; A. Lee for assisting with the data processing; and P. Kimber for assisting with the figures. This work was partially supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) grant and National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, British Columbia, V8L 4B2, Canada

    Richard E. Thomson, Steven F. Mihály & Alexander B. Rabinovich

  2. P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Moscow, 117851, Russia

    Alexander B. Rabinovich

  3. School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195-7940, USA

    Russell E. McDuff, Scott R. Veirs & Frederick R. Stahr

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  1. Richard E. Thomson
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Correspondence to Richard E. Thomson.

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Thomson, R., Mihály, S., Rabinovich, A. et al. Constrained circulation at Endeavour ridge facilitates colonization by vent larvae. Nature 424, 545–549 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01824

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