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CH4, H2, CO and N2O in submarine hydrothermal vent waters

Nature volume 300, pages 48–50 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Hydrothermal circulation systems of mid-ocean ridges profoundly influence the chemistry of the oceans and the oceanic crust1–3. This has been demonstrated for several major and minor constituents of seawater4 and trace metals5. In addition, several volatile compounds including helium6,7 as well as methane and hydrogen8–11 are introduced to the sea floor in concentrations greatly exceeding that of ambient bottom water. We present here our measurements of concentrations of methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide in the hydrothermal vent waters from the Galapagos Spreading Centre (GSC). The relationships of these constituents to silicon were unique for each vent field, with nitrous oxide at East of Eden being the only instance of negative correlation. These gases could serve as important energy sources, in addition to hydrogen sulphide, for the chemosynthetic bacteria which support the extensive and diverse animal population living in these environments12,13.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    Marvin D. Lilley, Marie A. de Angelis & Louis I. Gordon

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  1. Marvin D. Lilley
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  2. Marie A. de Angelis
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  3. Louis I. Gordon
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Lilley, M., de Angelis, M. & Gordon, L. CH4, H2, CO and N2O in submarine hydrothermal vent waters. Nature 300, 48–50 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/300048a0

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