Hydrothermal Vent Chemical Composition Available
for Mining in the Presence of Tube worms (R.
pachyptila)
Erika Chin
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Hydrothermal vents have been considered the new frontier. The mid-ocean ridge spanning Earth’s
surface for 42,000 miles contains thousands of hydrothermal vents whose hot fluid can be harvested for
material, pharmaceutical, and energy purposes. Minerals such as gold, iron, copper, and zinc are now
recognized as being formed on the ocean crust which can also be a source for manufacturing and
industrial applications. Furthermore, this toxic sauna highly concentrated in hydrogen sulfide provides
the source of energy for bacteria that produce the food and nutrients necessary to sustain an
abundance of unique species in the absence of sunlight. These organisms contain the enzymes
necessary to improve techniques to combat iron deficiencies and create new drugs. Finally, the heat
from the vents, which can reach temperatures up to 400oC, can be used as an alternative energy source.
Ultimately, this study analyzes the chemicals required for biogeochemical processes to sustain the
organisms and their environment in order to calculate the amount of vent fluid available for future
harvesting.