Hydrothermal systems at offshore Taiwan: Unique biological and geochemical characteristics

Chen Xuegang; Wu Bin; Zheng Hao; Fan Wei; Ye Ying; Chen Chen-Tung Arthur

doi:10.3969/j.issn.0253-4193.2019.10.010

Volume 41 Issue 10

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Chen Xuegang，Wu Bin，Zheng Hao, et al. Hydrothermal systems at offshore Taiwan: Unique biological and geochemical characteristics[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2019, 41(10)：161–168，doi:10.3969/j.issn.0253−4193.2019.10.010

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Hydrothermal systems at offshore Taiwan: Unique biological and geochemical characteristics

doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-4193.2019.10.010

1.
Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021
2.
Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424

Received Date: 2019-06-27
Rev Recd Date: 2019-08-19

Available Online: 2021-04-21

Publish Date: 2019-10-25

Abstract

Abstract

Offshore eastern Taiwan situated in the West Pacific active zone, there are multiple hydrothermal vents among which Kueishantao (KST) and Lutao (LT) host the most active systems. This paper reviewed the progress of the geochemical characteristics and biological responses of the KST and LT hydrothermal systems. The vent fluids emanated from the shallow KST hydrothermal vents have the world's lowest pH (1.52) values of any submarine vents. The fluids are rich in heavy metals and are accompanied by gases composed mostly by CO₂. The hydrothermal vents are considered to be a source for chromophoric and fluorescent dissolved organic matter in the oceans. The hydrothermal systems showed the world’s lowest concentration of dissolved organic carbon (14 μmol/L) and unique kinetic characteristics in Lutao. Native sulfur chimneys and sulfur balls were found around the KST vents. The highly toxic and acidic KST vent fluids have disturbed the behavior of ambient macro-organisms including crabs which have developed detoxication measures. The active bacteria groups in the KST field are dominated by Gammaproteobacteria and Epsilonbacteraeota that are involved in the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen metabolic pathways. Sulfur-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophs account for most of the primary biomass synthesis, which fuels microbial energy flow and element cycling in the hydrothermal systems. Vent crab evolved an adaptive modulation of reproductive behavior to survive in the hydrothermal vent field. Under the stress of the KST hydrothermal activity, the microorganisms have generated cryptic compounds and metabolic products. Furthermore, both the KST and LD hydrothermal systems are affected by tides and catastrophic events such as typhoons and earthquakes. The studies on the hydrothermal systems at offshore Taiwan are of essential importance for investigating the geochemical cycles and eco-environmental impacts of global hydrothermal systems.
- Kueishantao,
- Ludao,
- hydrothermal activity,
- highly acidic fluid,
- hydrothermal micro-organism,
- metabolic products,
- dissolved organic carbon

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References

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