Studies of Molluscan Shells From Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Ventsand Cold-Water Seeps

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Proposed studies are designed to address four fundamental questions concerning deep-sea hydrothermal vent and cold-water seep environments: (1) Are biological processes in these environments relatively fast or relatively slow? (2) How do the rates of biological processes vary among a wide variety of geographically-separated hydrothermal systems and, more generally, between deep-sea hydrothermal vent and cold-water seep environments? (3) How do the relatively sedentary organisms encountered at the vents and seeps disperse and subsequently locate and colonize these apparently ephemeral and geographically-separated environments? and (4) What are the time scales associated with vent and seep activity at particular sites throughout the world's oceans? Experiments will be deployed and retrieved (and specimens sampled) using various deep-diving submersibles at six geographically-separated hydrothermal vent areas (Galapagos Rift, 13'N, 21'N, Guaymas Basin, Juan de Fuca Ridge, and Mid-Atlantic Ridge) and one cold-water seep environment (base of the West Florida Escarpment). Detailed comparisons will be made with the experimental results obtained (and specimens at our disposal) from previous hydrothermal vent and cold-water seep expeditions, relying heavily upon mathematical techniques developed during the course of our ongoing NSF-funded studies. Results obtained from the proposed studies should significantly increase our knowledge of both temporal and spatial variability in rates of biological and geological processes within, among, and between deep-sea hydrothermal vent and cold-water seep environments. Finally, the proposed studies involve extensive collaborative efforts with French, Canadian and Mexican scientists which should represent a significant step toward closer integration of the major hydrothermal vent programs presently underway throughout the world's oceans.