Kairei vent field
Hydrothermal vent field in the Indian Ocean
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kairei vent field is a hydrothermal vent field located in the Indian Ocean at a depth of 2,460 metres (8,070 ft). It is just north of the Rodrigues triple junction, approximately 2,200 kilometres (1,400 mi) east from Madagascar.[1] It is the first hydrothermal field discovered in the Indian Ocean and the first of the series of known vents along the Central Indian Ridge.
| Kairei vent field | |
|---|---|
| A series of vents at the Rodrigues triple junction | |
Map of the Rodrigues triple junction | |
.svg)  | |
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 25°19′10″S 70°02′24″E |
| Area | 40–100 square metres (430–1,080 sq ft) |
| Max. elevation | −2,460 metres (−8,070 ft) |
History
The vent field was discovered in 2000 by the R/V Kairei and ROV Kaikō operated by Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC).[2] In 2001, the site was surveyed with high resolution prior to the deployment of ROV JASON.[3][4]
The vent field was visited again by JAMSTEC in 2009 on the YK09-13 cruise, where the HOV Shinkai6500 was deployed.
Geology
The field is dominated by sulfide talus, with the approximate area of high-temperature venting constrained to approximately 40 square meters. Fluids from the vent field have been measured in excess of 360 °C (680 °F) and are rich in metals, providing a black-smoker appearance. Elevated chlorinity in venting fluids suggests that phase-separation happens deep below the field.[4]
Biology
The Kairei vent field is one of the few known locations of the Sea Pangolin, threatened by deep sea mining.[5] It is also a site associated with Gigantopelta aegis and Alviniconcha strummeri gastropods.[6]
It is the site of discovery of Rimicaris kairei, belonging to the family of hydrothermal shrimp found at many sites in the Atlantic Ocean.[7]
Carbon and nitrogen isotopes suggest that there are four distinct trophic levels at the Karei vent field.[3]
Kairei is also of concern with respect to research on deep sea dispersal pathways, with some shared biological communities to those neighboring vent fields (Edmond, Solitaire, DoDo).[8]