Scientists from around the world will attend a meeting in the Galapagos Islands at the end of June to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the deep-sea hydrothermal vent system. The meeting will address recent issues in vent science, including plans to mine remnants of these chemosynthetic ecosystems using deep-sea gold-diggers.
Hydrothermal vents introduced the idea of chemosynthesis as a precondition for life to a broad spectrum of society back in the late 70's when alternative lifestyles were gaining widespread acceptance. Before that time photosynthesis was the most commonly held metabolic pathway.
More from Gizmag here.
Photo: French ROV Victor 6000 sampling black smokers. Credit: Daniel Desbruyeres.
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