Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Hydrothermal Vent Fluids

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Hydrothermal Vent Fluids 

Because the vent fluid compositions are determined largely by fluid-rock interactions that take place in the source region, the equilibrium mineral assemblage that is precipitated during mixing will depend to a large extent on the chemistry of the source rocks. Fluids that are buffered to lower values produce a 

Pyrrhotite tends to be the dominant Fe-sulfide phase, and other minerals typically formed at low may also be common (e.g. Koski et al. 1988 Zierenberg et al. 1993). 

At shallow water depths, subcritical boiling may have a major impact on seafloor mineralization. At 350°C, a 21°N-type fluid will intersect the two-phase curve for seawater when the 

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