| Abstract |
Deep geothermal energy is a theoretically infinite energy potential. Hydrothermal reservoirs at certain places along the rifts between tectonic plates of oceanic crust are notable examples. Submarine geothermal systems in Mexico are located between two extreme depths: shallow resources near to the continental platform at 20-50 m depth and deep resources at more than 2000 m below sea level. Both types of systems exist in the Gulf of California and in the Mexican coast of the Pacific Ocean. In these regions a considerable geothermal potential was discovered in past years that could be accessible and exploited in the future. Movements between the tectonic plates forming the oceanic crust, allow vertical transfer of magmatic heat toward the sea floor. At the same time, geothermal energy is the basis of rich food chains at those places. Cold sea water enters through fissures in the oceanic crust, where it becomes hot and is chemically changed. After, this heated sea water is ejected upward through hydrothermal vents, containing hydrogen sulphide. Chemosynthetic bacteria use this hydrogen sulphide as a metabolic source of energy and form food for clams, mussels and worms. These submarine geothermal prolific gardens are like ìoases in a cold sunless desertî. Recent research clearly points out that one possible location for the synthesis of chemicals needed for the origin of life is submarine hydrothermal systems. Other privileged submarine thermal areas are located offshore from the port of Ensenada, Baja California, where temperatures up to 102?C have been measured at 25 m depth and less than 100 m from the coast. In the Wagner Depression, submarine hydrothermal reservoirs are located at less than 30 m depth; both geothermal zones are accessible to explotation by installing offshore platforms, similar to those used by the oil industry. Rough estimations indicate that the geothermal potential of this submarine zone, could be 100 times larger than the Cerro Prieto reservoir. The submarine heat flow measured in the Gulf of California is of the order of 0.34 W/m2. The average heat flow in the Mexican Volcanic Belt is about 0.10 W/m2. Some authors estimate a geothermal submarine potential of almost 100,000 MWt for 30 years, at an average temperature of 330?C. Another supplementary interest for the study of geothermal submarine systems comes from the chemical analysis of sea water in contact with submarine hydrothermal manifestations. For example, lead, manganese and iron of this hydrothermal fluid, increase about 8000 times, 50,000 times and 59,000 times respectively. In this paper we present a general updated description of such natural systems. |