Ecosytem to preserve in the Indian Ocean : Active hydrothermal vent ecosystems
Deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields are among the most pristine and remarkable ecosystems on Earth. They are fueled by microbial chemosynthesis, harbor unique life and can be sources of precipitated mineral deposits. As the global demand for mineral resources rises, vent fields have been investigated for polymetallic sulfides (PMS) and biological resources. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 7 contracts for PMS exploration, including 4 licenses for vent fields in the Indian Ocean. Here, a summary of the available ecological knowledge of Indian vent communities and we assess their vulnerability, sensitivity, ecological and biological significance.
More on : https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.1067912/full
Location of the 13 active confirmed hydrothermal vent fields in the Indian ocean. Map created with GeoMapApp.
