Temporal Changes in Biological Community Structure and Associated Geological Features at Newly-Formed Hydrothermal Vents on the EPR Crest

1991年4月，在东太平洋隆起（EPR） 90′45′至90′52′n之间新近形成的火山活动强烈的地区发现了新形成的热液喷口，这首次使人们有机会从一些深海热液喷口的明显“诞生”开始，跟踪生物和地质随时间的变化。1992年3月，在一次活跃喷发事件发生11个月后，利用“阿尔文”号潜水器进行的观测和测量表明，在该地区海底观测到喷发事件以来的11个月期间，地质特征、喷口流体地球化学和生物群落结构发生了巨大变化。在1992年3月的巡航中，210个标记沿着EPR轴向山顶火山口（ASC）在9049.61′和9050.36′之间的1.4公里长部署。由此产生的样带穿越了许多活跃的喷口区域，利用各种35毫米、电子静止相机和Hi-8视频功能进行了广泛的记录。本研究的主要目的是记录在海洋中脊轴活跃段观察到的生物群落结构和相关地质特征的3年时间变化。该方法包括：(1)沿着ASC最近标记的1.4公里长的区域进行大量35mm， Hi-8视频和电子静止相机（ESC）成像调查；(2)在ASC热液活动区的三个指定的“保护区”进行长期延时摄影（Hi-8视频）。

The discovery in April , 1991 of newly-formed hydrothermal vents located in areas of recent and intense volcanic activity between 9o45' and 9o52'N along the East Pacific Rise (EPR) affords, for the first time, the opportunity to follow biological and geological changes over time from the apparent "birth" of a number of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Observations and measurements made using the submersible Alvin in March, 1992, 11 months after an active eruptive event, have indicated dramatic changes in geological features, vent fluid geochemistry and biological community structure over the 11-month period since the eruptive events was observed on the seafloor in the region. During the March, 1992 cruise, 210 markers were deployed along a 1.4 km stretch of the axial summit caldera (ASC) of the EPR between 9o49.61' and 9o50.36'N. The resulting transect, which traversed numerous active vent areas, was extensively documented utilizing a variety of 35 mm, electronic still camera, and Hi-8 video capabilities. The primary objective of this study is to document over a 3-year period temporal changes in biological community structure and associated geological features observed along this active segment of the mid-oceanic ridge axis. The approach involves a combination of: (1) numerous 35 mm, Hi-8 video, and electronic still camera (ESC) imaging surveys along the recently marked 1.4 km stretch of the ASC; and (2) long term time-lapse photography (Hi-8 video) at three-designated "sanctuaries" within this hydrothermally active region of the ASC.