Deep beneath the Earth's surface, high pressure commonly dissolve volcanic gases in molten rock. When magma rises towards the surface however, the gases begin to form tiny bubbles but the further up the magma rises, the more the gas bubbles expand, creating a magma foam which eventually leads to an explosive eruption.
During volcanic eruptions, the dissolved gases which can be found in the magma are released into the atmosphere. However, there may be exceptions when gases are also released from magma that stays underground or is on its way towards the surface. This may then lead to fumaroles, volcanic vents and hydrothermal systems which release the gases.
During volcanic eruptions, the dissolved gases which can be found in the magma are released into the atmosphere. However, there may be exceptions when gases are also released from magma that stays underground or is on its way towards the surface. This may then lead to fumaroles, volcanic vents and hydrothermal systems which release the gases.
Metals
This diagram represents a natural hydrothermal vent.
A hydrothermal vent is a crack in a planet's surface from which geothermally heated water escapes. Therefore, hydrothermal vents are purely natural, without any human interaction or build. Black smokers are a specific type of hydrothermal vent and act as a way of dissipating heat stored below the oceanic crust into the ocean above. This occurs as cold seawater, sinks through the layers of sediment and/or rock, and begins to be heated. This heating causes convection. Once the water has been heated it is able to dissolve different minerals from the surrounding rock. If sulphur is dissolved the pH of the water decreases and it is able to dissolve more minerals.
The most common metals to be dissolved are:
As this water is rising it loses energy, and thus begins to cool. The cooling of the water causes some minerals to come out of the solution, precipitating onto the sides of the black smoker. The order in which the minerals precipitate depends on each minerals’ solubility and this in turn is reflected by the position of the mineral in the black smoker. Gold and copper are found beneath the black smoker whereas pyrite (iron) is found at the base of the black smoker. Lead and zinc constitute the main chimney, and the ‘smoke’ (hence the name black smokers) is composed of tiny sulphide particles.
There is much potential for hydrothermal vents to be harnessed, and if done responsibly they could prove sustainable. However, hydrothermal vents are uncommon and small-scale features. Even so, recently, development companies have been looking into the extraction of the metal deposits due to steep increases in the price of base minerals. However a large workforce and expensive new technologies are required. In addition, hydrothermal vents are home to a complex community of unique chemoautotrophic (these are organisms which obtain their nourishment via the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds as opposed to photosynthesis) organisms; therefore issues may arise among conservationists.
Many of the metals found in hydrothermal vents have a wide range of applications, both domestically and industrially.
Copper was already used around 8000 BC, in the form of tools, weapons and ornaments. Now, we mainly use it for construction, electrical appliances, general and industrial engineering applications and transportation.The Ancient Romans used bronze for plumbing and sewage systems. Today, the electrical conductivity, ductility, and resistance to corrosion of copper, lead, and zinc, make them very useful in alloys. Lead is mainly used in batteries, paints, dyes, explosives and rubber products. However, as it is toxic, its production is decreasing continuously. Zinc is used in steel and protective coatings for steel. Together with other elements it forms compounds which are mainly used for luminous dials, plastics, soaps and inks.
The most common metals to be dissolved are:
- iron
- copper
- zinc
- lead
- barium
As this water is rising it loses energy, and thus begins to cool. The cooling of the water causes some minerals to come out of the solution, precipitating onto the sides of the black smoker. The order in which the minerals precipitate depends on each minerals’ solubility and this in turn is reflected by the position of the mineral in the black smoker. Gold and copper are found beneath the black smoker whereas pyrite (iron) is found at the base of the black smoker. Lead and zinc constitute the main chimney, and the ‘smoke’ (hence the name black smokers) is composed of tiny sulphide particles.
There is much potential for hydrothermal vents to be harnessed, and if done responsibly they could prove sustainable. However, hydrothermal vents are uncommon and small-scale features. Even so, recently, development companies have been looking into the extraction of the metal deposits due to steep increases in the price of base minerals. However a large workforce and expensive new technologies are required. In addition, hydrothermal vents are home to a complex community of unique chemoautotrophic (these are organisms which obtain their nourishment via the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds as opposed to photosynthesis) organisms; therefore issues may arise among conservationists.
Many of the metals found in hydrothermal vents have a wide range of applications, both domestically and industrially.
Copper was already used around 8000 BC, in the form of tools, weapons and ornaments. Now, we mainly use it for construction, electrical appliances, general and industrial engineering applications and transportation.The Ancient Romans used bronze for plumbing and sewage systems. Today, the electrical conductivity, ductility, and resistance to corrosion of copper, lead, and zinc, make them very useful in alloys. Lead is mainly used in batteries, paints, dyes, explosives and rubber products. However, as it is toxic, its production is decreasing continuously. Zinc is used in steel and protective coatings for steel. Together with other elements it forms compounds which are mainly used for luminous dials, plastics, soaps and inks.
Sulphur
Sulphur is found near volcanoes, where it is formed by the reaction of the volcanic gases sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide: SO2 + 2 H2S → 3 S + 2 H2O. Both of these gases are toxic, hydrogen sulphide even highly toxic and are produced deep within volcanoes. Normally, they are also emitted from volcanoes and geysers without there being an explosive eruption.
The main industrial use of sulphur dioxide is in the process of making sulphuric acid, but it has other industrial uses such as being a preservative for dried fruits, being important in winemaking, or being used as a refrigerant.
Hydrogen sulphide also has many useful industrial applications including the involvement of the production of thioorganic compounds, alkali metal sulphides and it is used in analytical chemistry.
Sulphur is used as a precursor constituent for the production of sulphuric acid. It is also used as a major component for fertiliziers, pesticides and fungicides.
The main industrial use of sulphur dioxide is in the process of making sulphuric acid, but it has other industrial uses such as being a preservative for dried fruits, being important in winemaking, or being used as a refrigerant.
Hydrogen sulphide also has many useful industrial applications including the involvement of the production of thioorganic compounds, alkali metal sulphides and it is used in analytical chemistry.
Sulphur is used as a precursor constituent for the production of sulphuric acid. It is also used as a major component for fertiliziers, pesticides and fungicides.
Pumice
Pumice is a light, greyish and highly vesicular, volcanic rock. It forms when super-heated, pressurized rock from beneath the Earth's surface is violently ejected from a volcano. Rapid cooling and the simultaneous depressurization that take place, give pumice its 'foamy' texture. Pumice has many uses for us people. Due to it being so lightweight, pumice is particularly useful in the construction industry to produce insulation and cement (mixed with lime). It is also an effective abrasive, most commonly used to remove dead skin.