Mixing of meteoric and geothermal fluids supports hyperdiverse chemosynthetic hydrothermal communities

FINAL REPORT - Tracing Geothermal Fluids

Theoretical constraints of physical and chemical properties of hydrothermal fluids on variations in chemolithotrophic microbial communities in seafloor hydrothermal systems

In the past few decades, chemosynthetic ecosystems at deep-sea hydrothermal vents have received attention as plausible analogues to the early ecosystems of Earth, as well as to extraterrestrial ecosystems. These ecosystems are sustained by chemical energy obtained from inorganic redox substances (e.g., H2S, CO2, H2, CH4, and O2) in hydrothermal fluids and ambient seawater. The chemical and isot...

Geothermal Reservoirs in Hydrothermal Convection Systems

T Abstract Geothermal reservoirs commonly exist in hydrothermal convection systems involving fluid circulation downward in areas of recharge and upwards in areas of discharge. Because such reservoirs are not isolated from their surroundings, the nature of thermal and hydrologic connections with the rest of the system may have significant effects on the natural state of the reservoir and on its ...

Fossil evidence for serpentinization fluids fueling chemosynthetic assemblages.

Among the deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites discovered in the past 30 years, Lost City on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) is remarkable both for its alkaline fluids derived from mantle rock serpentinization and the spectacular seafloor carbonate chimneys precipitated from these fluids. Despite high concentrations of reduced chemicals in the fluids, this unique example of a serpentinite-hosted hydro...

Workshop “Geothermal fluids in saline systems”

Editorial Topic 4 of the Renewable Energy Program of the Helmholtz Association focusses inter alia on the sustainable and cost-efficient use of geothermal reservoirs for base-load supply of heat and electricity by EGS. Current EGS projects show the limitations of such systems. Firstly, the localization of a potential reservoir prior to drilling still remains a major challenge. Secondly, the min...