Abstract
A hydrothermal vent system is one of the most unique marine environments on Earth. The cycling hydrothermal fluid hosts favorable conditions for unique life forms and novel mineralization mechanisms, which have attracted the interests of researchers in fields of biological, chemical and geological studies. Shallow-water hydrothermal vents located in coastal areas are suitable for hydrothermal studies due to their close relationship with human activities. This paper presents a summary of the developments in exploration and detection methods for shallow-water hydrothermal systems. Mapping and measuring approaches of vents, together with newly developed equipment, including sensors, measuring systems and water samplers, are included. These techniques provide scientists with improved accuracy, efficiency or even extended data types while studying shallow-water hydrothermal systems. Further development of these techniques may provide new potential for hydrothermal studies and relevant studies in fields of geology, origins of life and astrobiology.
Highlights
About forty years ago, the earliest submarine hydrothermal (HT) vent was found on the East Pacific Rise [1], which marks the beginning of HT research
Tarasov defines shallow-water hydrothermal (SHT) vents as vents located at a depth of 200 m or less considering the degree of obligacy of fauna [14]
Studies focused on SHT systems have been gradually given attention since the end of the last century
Summary
About forty years ago, the earliest submarine hydrothermal (HT) vent was found on the East Pacific Rise [1], which marks the beginning of HT research. The extremely hot, acidic and anoxic environment around HT vents gives birth to various novel life forms [2,3] Such environments provide constant energy, abundant organic elements and large temperature gradients that enable the polymerization of long-chain molecules. The hot, metal-rich plume discharges from the vents form an important part of the heat and chemical exchange between the lithosphere and the ocean [10], which is essential for global environmental studies These particular features provide unique research conditions for the specified science fields, and have attracted the attention of a growing number of researchers. Tarasov defines shallow-water hydrothermal (SHT) vents as vents located at a depth of 200 m or less considering the degree of obligacy of fauna [14] According to this definition, 22 SHT zones have been found on Earth (Table 1) [14]. The developing status of SHT exploring techniques concludes the paper and possible future works are discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
