| Title | Fundamental Characteristics of Hydrothermal Submarine Systems and Preliminary Evaluation of its Geothermal Potential in Mexico |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nadia Elisa Suarez-Bosche, Mario Cesar Suarez-Arriaga, Fernando Samaniego, Victor Delgado |
| Year | 2005 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Submarine hydrothermal systems, geothermal energy potential, hydrothermal vents, deep sea life, Gulf of California, Pacific Ocean, Mexico. |
| Abstract | Hydrothermal submarine reservoirs contain essentially an infinite energy potential. Seafloor hydrothermal circulation is the principal agent of energy and mass transfer from the Earth=s crust to the ocean and one of the primary modes of interaction between the solid earth and the ocean/ atmosphere system. The fluid discharged from seafloor geothermal reservoirs cools the submarine hot rock, builds mineral deposits, modifies seawater circulation patterns, supports strange biological communities, and influences oceanic Chemistry and Biology. Convective circulation of seawater through oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges and on ridge flanks has important effects on the heat transport, on the chemical and isotopic compositions of ocean crust and seawater, on the mineralization of the crust and on the physical properties of oceanic basement. Deep submarine energy is related to the existence of hydrothermal vents emerging in many places along the oceanic spreading centers between tectonic plates. These systems have a total length of about 65,000 km in the oceanic crust. Non-traditional geothermal energy sources in Mexico include the hydrothermal submarine systems located close to the Mexican coast of the Pacific Ocean. We calculate its thermal potential to be around 1123 MWT /km3, at an average temperature of 350?C. At the same time, submarine geothermal energy supports rich biological communities at depths where living organisms cannot use sunlight for photosynthesis. The heated seawater containing H2S is ejected upward through hydrothermal vents. Chemosynthetic bacteria use the hydrogen sulfide as a metabolic source of energy and form food for clams, mussels and worms. In this way, geothermal energy becomes the basis of rich food chains at places where photosynthesis is impossible. Recent research suggests that possible locations for the synthesis of chemicals needed for the origin of life could be submarine hydrothermal vents. In this paper we summarize results obtained from different researchers about the fundamental characteristics of submarine geothermal systems. |