About this Research Topic
Most sites of submarine hydrothermal activity remain unknown, unexplored, and uncharacterized. Although we have limited understanding of how these systems interact with and influence the broader ocean, recent explorations are illuminating a causal link between the solid earth and ocean function.
Recent explorations of hydrothermal sites are highlighting the impacts (and their feedbacks) between geology, chemistry, physics, and biology at different space and time scales. These processes extend from the seafloor, through the water column, and even sometimes up to the surface layer. In fact, recent discoveries of hydrothermal activity at shallow sites emitting trace metal-rich fluids able to reach the euphotic (productive) ocean layer (~0-100 m) are likely to modify our understanding of the interactions between hydrothermal systems and ocean biogeochemical cycles.
This Research Topic welcomes studies (e.g. original research, perspectives, reviews, mini-reviews, and opinion papers) focusing on topics such as:
-The lateral and vertical transport mechanisms of hydrothermal plumes into the ocean in various systems (shallow, deep)
-The impacts of hydrothermal activity on surface and deep ocean geochemistry: the distribution, speciation, and bioavailability of biogeochemically-relevant and toxic trace elements, their isotopes, organic matter, and gasses
-The impact of hydrothermal activity on surface ocean communities (viruses, bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton), diversity, and activity and impact on marine biogeochemical carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles (nutrient uptake, productivity, export); fertilization vs toxic effect.
-The impact of hydrothermal iron on diazotrophs and feedbacks to plankton community
-Hydrothermal fluid micro- and macro-biology
-The effects of hydrothermal geology/geophysics on fluid geochemistry and/or biology.
Research based on a variety of approaches, including in situ and satellite observation, process studies in controlled or semi-controlled systems, modeling, and omics are welcome.
Recent explorations of hydrothermal sites are highlighting the impacts (and their feedbacks) between geology, chemistry, physics, and biology at different space and time scales. These processes extend from the seafloor, through the water column, and even sometimes up to the surface layer. In fact, recent discoveries of hydrothermal activity at shallow sites emitting trace metal-rich fluids able to reach the euphotic (productive) ocean layer (~0-100 m) are likely to modify our understanding of the interactions between hydrothermal systems and ocean biogeochemical cycles.
This Research Topic welcomes studies (e.g. original research, perspectives, reviews, mini-reviews, and opinion papers) focusing on topics such as:
-The lateral and vertical transport mechanisms of hydrothermal plumes into the ocean in various systems (shallow, deep)
-The impacts of hydrothermal activity on surface and deep ocean geochemistry: the distribution, speciation, and bioavailability of biogeochemically-relevant and toxic trace elements, their isotopes, organic matter, and gasses
-The impact of hydrothermal activity on surface ocean communities (viruses, bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton), diversity, and activity and impact on marine biogeochemical carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles (nutrient uptake, productivity, export); fertilization vs toxic effect.
-The impact of hydrothermal iron on diazotrophs and feedbacks to plankton community
-Hydrothermal fluid micro- and macro-biology
-The effects of hydrothermal geology/geophysics on fluid geochemistry and/or biology.
Research based on a variety of approaches, including in situ and satellite observation, process studies in controlled or semi-controlled systems, modeling, and omics are welcome.
Keywords: Hydrothermal systems, Trace element speciation and complexation, Surface planktonic ecosystem, Carbon and Nitrogen biogeochemical cycles
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
