The team collected samples from the eastern South Pacific Ocean and found that the concentration of DBC increased closer to the equator, and was correlated with helium-3 isotopes from hydrothermal vents.
“Our findings provide conclusive evidence that hydrothermal vents are the primary source of DBC in the deep sea,” says Yamashita. “This is an important discovery, as it gives us a better understanding of the role of the ocean as a carbon sink.”
The team believes that further research into the role of hydrothermal vents as a source of DBC could lead to new strategies for mitigating climate change.
2023-02-10 14:00:03
Article from phys.org
Recent discoveries have found that black carbon, an organic material found in the deep ocean, is being sourced from hydrothermal vents. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of deep sea ecology and the potential effects of carbon on marine life.
Black carbon, also known as ‘marine snow’, is a byproduct of the chemical and biological processes inside of hydrothermal vents and is found in large quantities due to their deep seabed hydrothermal activities. It contains organic materials such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates and is a primary source of food for ocean organisms.
A recent study conducted by researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute found evidence of hydrothermal black carbon sources in the deep seafloor. By examining the change in black carbon particle size and composition over time, the researchers concluded that hydrothermal black carbon was indeed present in the deep seafloor sediment.
The findings of the study, published in Nature Communications, suggest that hydrothermal black carbon is a major source of organic material in the deep ocean and is an important component of the marine food chain. This has serious implications for aquatic environmental health, as black carbon is known to be associated with harmful chemicals, pollutants and toxins that can have adverse effects on marine life.
Moreover, the study provides evidence for the role of black carbon in deep sea ecology and its potential impacts on nutrient and energy cycling. The presence of black carbon in deep ocean sediments can affect biotic exchange between shallow and deep ocean ecosystems, leading to changes in the type and relative abundance of species in these areas.
The findings of this study are sure to open up a new frontier of research into the potential effects of black carbon on deep sea ecology. Future studies will shed more light on the important role of black carbon in deep ocean environments.