Hydrothermal Vent | Deep Ocean Mission

Context:

For the first time, Indian oceanographers have captured an image of an active hydrothermal vent.

Discovery of Hydrothermal Vent:

• Discovery Outcome: Result of the Hydrothermal Exploration Programme by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
• Location: Discovered hydrothermal vent located 4,500 metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean.
• Potential: Site holds potential for mineral exploration under the Deep Ocean Mission.

About Hydrothermal Vents

• Hydrothermal Vents: Underwater springs where cold seabed water interacts with magma in tectonically active regions, becoming superheated (up to 370°C) and emerging as mineral-rich plumes through chimneys or vents.
• Cold water trickling through ocean crust cracks and fissures mixes with magma, heating up and dissolving minerals from surrounding rocks.
• Emerges as hydrothermal plumes rich in trace metals, gases, and minerals.
• Found in the global mid-oceanic ridge system.
• Support diverse ecosystems and microbial communities, forming the foundation of the food web in deep-sea environments.
• Recent Discovery in Indian Ocean:
  • An active hydrothermal vent discovered at a depth of 4,500 meters along the Central Indian Ridge.
• Ecosystem and Lifeforms:
  • Vents support unique ecosystems powered by chemosynthesis, where microbes act as primary producers, sustaining diverse organisms in extreme conditions.
• Key Features:
  • Includes chimneys and black smokers emitting superhot mineral-rich plumes.
  • Hosts rich deposits of copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, iron, cobalt, and nickel.
  • Supports chemosynthetic organisms thriving in mineral-rich environments.
• This discovery highlights the potential for resource exploration and the study of extreme marine ecosystems.

Mission Samudrayaan:

• India’s 1^st manned mission to explore by sending 3 aquanauts to the deep ocean up to 6,000 metres.
• Aim – To study the deep ocean resources and conduct biodiversity assessments as well.
• Part of the larger Deep Ocean Mission. 
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

Deep Ocean Mission:

• Aim – To explore deep ocean for resources and develop deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.
• It will be a mission-mode project to support Blue Economy initiatives.
• Nodal ministry – Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Major components –
  • Development of Manned Submersible: MATSYA 6000
  • Integrated Mining System for mining polymetallic nodules.
  • Identifies multi-metal Hydrothermal Sulphides mineralization along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges.
  • Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plants

Polymetallic nodules are rocks scattered on the seabed containing iron, manganese, nickel and cobalt.

Chemosynthesis

• Chemosynthesis: Process where organisms use chemical energy to produce organic compounds.
  • Unlike photosynthesis, which uses sunlight, chemosynthesis uses energy from the oxidation of inorganic molecules.
• Chemosynthesis Process:
  • Chemosynthetic organisms (bacteria and archaea) oxidize inorganic compounds like hydrogen sulfide, methane, or ammonia.
  • This process releases energy, converting carbon dioxide and water into organic molecules, primarily carbohydrates.
• Chemosynthetic Organisms:
• Play a crucial role in deep-sea ecosystems, supporting diverse communities of life without sunlight.
  • Tube worms:
    • Form dense colonies around hydrothermal vents.House chemosynthetic bacteria within their tissues in a symbiotic relationship.
  • Clams and mussels:
    • Harbor chemosynthetic bacteria within their gills.
    • Bacteria oxidize sulfide compounds, providing energy for both clams and mussels.

Read more about: Mission Samudrayaan | MATSYA 6000

Source: IE

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Previous Year Question

“If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?

[UPSC CSE – 2022 Prelims]

(a) The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff subsoil percolation and evaporation.
(b) Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
(c) Wetlands play vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
(d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.

Answer: (c)

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