Defining active, inactive, and extinct seafloor massive sulfide deposits
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21520984 |
|---|---|
| Authors | John W Jamieson (0000-0002-4783-8578, Memorial University of Newfoundland, corresponding author), Amy Gartman (0000-0001-9307-3062, Pacific Science Center) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 117 |
| Pages | 103926 |
| Publication date | 2020-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Marine Policy (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0308-597X • E-ISSN: 1872-9460 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103926 |
| OpenAlex | W3013135084 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 35 |
Hydrothermal activity results in the formation of hydrothermal mineral deposits, including seafloor massive sulfide deposits, at oceanic spreading ridges, arcs, and back-arcs. As hydrothermal systems age, the mineral deposits eventually become severed from the heat source and fluid-flow pathways responsible for their formation and become extinct. The timescales and processes by which this cessation of activity occurs, and the resultant distinction between hydrothermally active and inactive deposits has recently taken on policy implications related to the potential issuance of exploitation leases for seafloor massive sulfide deposits by the International Seabed Authority in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Here, we discuss the scientific rationale behind designating hydrothermal systems as active, inactive, or extinct, with the aim of applying a scientific underpinning to ongoing policy discussions, which often lack a common set of criteria and use the same descriptions for opposing phenomena. We apply the simple definition that active vent fields currently exhibit fluid flow above ambient seawater temperatures, inactive vent fields are not currently exhibiting fluid flow but may potentially become active again, and extinct vent fields are not expected to become active again. We suggest these terms can only be correctly applied at the vent field scale and define a vent field as a geologically continuous entity that may include both actively and formerly venting hydrothermal deposits. Finally, we propose criteria and techniques for determining activity and reasonably bounding the extent of a vent field for classification purposes
Earth science · Geochemistry · Hydrothermal circulation · Hydrothermal vent · Seafloor Spreading · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena · Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils · Geology · Paleontology
Application of scientific criteria for identifying hydrothermal ecosystems in need of protection
Research is needed to inform environmental management of hydrothermally inactive and extinct polymetallic sulfide (PMS) deposits
Assessment of scientific gaps related to the effective environmental management of deep-seabed mining
Deep-sea mining of massive sulfides
Three-dimensional management needs of deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.83 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2025 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |