Collaborative Research: Sampling and Initial Characterization of Hydrothermal Fluids, Deposits, Microfauna, and Megafauna at Vent Fields along the Eastern Lau Spreading Center

这是一项跨学科的研究，以确定在喷口流体化学，喷口存款的组成，并在主要喷口领域的生物区系沿着东劳扩散中心，以及影响流体化学，硫化物存款的形成和生物群落的栖息地的范围的关键过程和变量。 相关微生物的分子和生理多样性、温泉附近主要巨型动物生物的分布和繁殖状况以及上覆水柱中浮游生物和幼虫的分布，都将与每个喷口所在地的环境条件有关。 扩展速率、轴向深度和形态、岩浆源和熔岩化学、熔体透镜特征、地壳结构以及与弧岩浆源和俯冲板片的接近程度等方面的变化，为研究关键变量对热液喷发和相关巨型动物和微型动物的影响提供了绝佳机会。

This is an interdisciplinary study to identify the range in vent fluid chemistry, vent deposit compositions, and biota at major vent fields along the Eastern Lau Spreading Center, and the key processes and variables that influence fluid chemistry, sulfide deposit formation and the range in habitats available for biological communities. The molecular and physiological diversity of associated microbes, the distribution and reproductive status of dominant megafaunal organisms present in the vicinity of hot-springs, and the distribution of plankton and larvae in the overlying water column will be related to the environmental conditions present at each vent site. The variations in spreading rate, axial depth and morphology, magma source and lave chemistry, melt lens characteristics, crustal structure, and proximity to arc magma sources and the subducting slab provide an excellent opportunity for examining the influence of key variables on hydrothermal venting and associated megafauna and microfauna.