Hydrothermal vents are underwater hot springs where superheated, mineral-rich water emerges from the seafloor.
Chemosynthesis
- No sunlight - bacteria use H₂S for energy
- Primary production via chemosynthesis, not photosynthesis
- Forms the base of entire food webs
Community Succession
- Pioneers: Chemosynthetic bacteria colonize first
- Tube worms: Riftia with symbiotic bacteria
- Grazers: Crabs, shrimp feeding on bacterial mats
- Predators: Fish, octopi at mature vents
Vent Lifecycle
Vents are ephemeral, lasting 10-100 years. When vents die, communities collapse rapidly. Organisms must disperse to new vents.