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HomeEnvironmentExploring the Unique Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystems of the Arctic Ocean Floor

Exploring the Unique Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystems of the Arctic Ocean Floor

A fresh study on the hydrothermal system located at the northernmost seafloor of Earth reveals an even greater diversity in vent types than previously recognized. This research plays a crucial role in understanding not only the origins of these vents but also their broader implications for the Earth-Ocean system. Moreover, it carries significance for the search for habitable environments and potentially even extraterrestrial life on distant oceanic worlds within our solar system, as noted by the researchers involved.

The findings, derived from comprehensive deep-sea investigations at the Polaris site, challenge our current understanding of how seafloor venting operates along ultra-slow spreading ridges, which, although still largely unexplored, constitute 25% of the global ridge crest.

A fresh study on the hydrothermal system located at the northernmost seafloor of Earth reveals an even greater diversity in vent types than previously recognized.

This research is vital for comprehending the origins of these vents and evaluating the widespread effects of hydrothermal activity on Earth’s oceans and systems, according to an article published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters titled “Ultramafic-influenced submarine venting on basaltic seafloor at the Polaris site, 87°N, Gakkel Ridge.”

Additionally, the study offers insights into habitability and the possibility of life in ocean worlds beyond our planet, as stated by the authors of the study.

The findings originate from follow-up studies conducted in 2016 and 2023 at the Polaris hydrothermal field on the Gakkel Ridge, known for its ultra-slow spreading rates in the Arctic Ocean. Initial assessments of the Polaris area indicated it was a volcanically-driven “black smoker” type system due to the heat and murkiness in its hydrothermal plume and its proximity to a volcanic seamount along the spreading-ridge axis.

However, combined geochemical analysis and seafloor surveys revealed that Polaris does not fit the typical profile of a black smoker hydrothermal system. Instead, it releases fluids that are low in metals but rich in hydrogen and methane into the Arctic Ocean.

Among the over 30 locations where deep-sea hydrothermal plumes have been identified along ultra-slow spreading mid-ocean ridges, more than 90% of their characteristics have only been inferred through water column plume signals and petrological sampling methods. Detailed studies have uncovered a greater range of vent styles than previously acknowledged, enhancing our understanding of hydrothermal geodiversity, including new findings in the Arctic Ocean from the Aurora hydrothermal field and now this latest study.

“Hydrogen-rich vents like Polaris offer much more chemical potential energy for life compared to other types of vents, making them far more valuable. The microbial diversity that thrives in such energetic environments is notably remarkable and differs significantly from typical hydrothermal vents,” explained Chris German, a senior scientist with the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and co-author of the journal article.

The discoveries from this research are crucial because they provide confidence in the search for life on other ocean worlds elsewhere in the universe, based on our current knowledge,” German shared. He is also the principal investigator of the Exploring Ocean Worlds project, which lies at the heart of NASA’s Network for Ocean Worlds program. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of adopting improved strategies for exploring hydrothermal plumes on Earth to accurately identify their sources.

“Studying the geological processes on the seafloor of the Arctic Ocean, one of the least explored areas on the planet, is both exciting and enlightening,” stated Elmar Albers, the lead author of the article and a postdoctoral investigator in WHOI’s Department of Geology and Geophysics. Albers’ work over the last two years received backing from a Feodor Lynen Postdoctoral Fellowship via the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation, under the mentorship of Chris German at WHOI. “What we uncovered about the Polaris hydrothermal system was unexpected, providing major implications for hydrothermal studies in other marine environments. We are eager to discover what future surprises the Arctic might reveal.”

“The journey to understanding the distribution of life across the universe begins with exploring how life thrives on our own planet,” said Becky McCauley Rench, a Program Scientist for Astrobiology at NASA headquarters. “The findings from this research team emphasize the necessity of deepening our comprehension of our home planet and utilizing those insights as we search the solar system for answers regarding our existence. The knowledge gained here, whether in the Arctic or elsewhere on Earth, directly aids our efforts to explore other worlds like Europa and Enceladus, and beyond.”

This research was primarily funded by NASA’s PSTAR program at WHOI, alongside contributions from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Helmholtz Association, and the Max Planck Society in Germany.