Geochemical Constraints on Light Emission in Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems: An Experimental Study Using In-Situ Spectral and Chemical Sensor Techniques

最近对部署在阿尔文号潜水器上的高灵敏度ccd摄像系统的研究发现，从海底喷发的热液流体发出的光。总体而言，这些研究揭示了来自喷口流体的光子流量超过了从简单的黑体辐射预测的光子流量，这表明了一些现场发光过程。特别是，化学发光(伴随化学反应的光的发射)、声致发光(汽泡内爆或空化发出的光)或晶体发光(伴随矿物沉淀开始的光的发射)被认为是最有可能解释这一现象的过程。这项调查旨在明确评估在适用于海洋热液系统的温度和压力下，化学反应、蒸汽产生、效应和结晶过程产生的光的强度和光谱特征。根据这项合同，PI将使用一系列计算机控制的钛流动反应堆，改装成包含光学窗口、光缆、光谱仪和CCD探测器，从而能够测量和监测光的强度和光谱变异性。这些实验将专门评估化学发光、声致发光和晶体发光在适当的温度、压力、成分效应和流体流速范围内对光产生的作用。这些实验将包括一些在实验期间开发的现场化学传感器，以更好地限制水物种的分布，同时将这些数据与光谱观测联系起来。

Recent studies with highly sensitive CCD camera systems deployed from the submersible ALVIN have revealed light being emitted from hydrothermal fluids venting at the ocean floor. In general, these studies reveal photon fluxes from the vent fluids in excess of those predicted from simple blackbody radiation, suggesting a number of in-situ light-generating processes. In particular, chemiluminescence (emission of light that accompanies chemical reactions), sonoluminescence (light emitted by vapor bubble implosion or cavitation), or crystalloluminescence (emission of light accompanying onset of mineral precipitation) are thought to be the mose likely processes to account for this. This investigation is designed to assess unambiguously the intensity and spectral characteristics of light generated by chemical reactions, vapor generation, effects and crystallization processes at temperatures and pressures applicable to marine hydrothermal systems. Under this award, the PIs will use a series of computer controlled Ti-flow reactors, modified to contain optical windows, fiber optic cables, spectrometer, and CCD detector that will allow the intensity and spectral variability of light to be measured and monitored. The experiments will be designed to specifically assess the role of chemiluminescence, sonoluminescence and crystalloluminescnce on light generation for an appropriate range of temperatures, pressures, compositional effects, and fluid flow rates. The experiments will include a number of in-situ chemical sensors developed at to better constrain the distribution of aqueous species during the experiments, while simultaneously linking these data to spectral observations.