In our last lab before Fall Break, we watched a movie called "Deep Sea, Deep Secrets." This movie was about the hydrothermal vents located on the Mid-Ocean Ridge. All of the organisms that dwell at this level survive using the process chemosynthesis. This process works without sunlight since these environments are located too deep underwater for sunlight to penetrate. In chemosynthesis, energy is gathered from inorganic chemicals. This is the basis for the survival of the environment’s bacteria. From the bacteria, a food chain begins. Another characteristic of the hydrothermal vents is that they are connected by an undersea highway. Also, they are chimney-like structures that have the capability of erupting. There is a specific location that has been assigned the study ground of hydrothermal vents, which is called 9 North. In 9 North, a group of scientists once witnessed an eruption and claimed that the hydrothermal vents are like a “living laboratory.” Another question that was raised by scientists about this environment is about the organisms that thrive there. It appears that the organisms went through adaptations in order to survive on the hydrothermal vents such as dealing with the different water temperature. I have always found the ocean and its inhabitants extremely interesting; mostly because of the mystery that surrounds it. The ocean is huge and while we know a lot about its processes and organisms, there is still so much to learn. Before watching this video I had never really heard of the hydrothermal vents, but now I am glad that I have. This unique community has found its own ways to survive.
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| Image of a hydrothermal vent- for more information this is a great website to look at! |
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