This project will continue the time series study of the vent fluids at the hydrothermal site located a 21 degrees north on the East Pacific Rise. Since this hydrothermal site was discovery in 1979 three expeditions to this location have established that the exit temperatures and distinct interfield differences in fluid composition have remained constant with time at the four vent fields. This project will allow the principal investigator to document any changes in chemistry and temperature at each site and will extend the study of this hydrothermal system to over a decade. The results will improve understanding of the evolution of seafloor hydrothermal systems and will further constrain the processes that control the hydrothermal fluxes of elements into the oceans.
