Science: Inorganic Processes at Deep-sea "Black Smokers" Create Energy Wealth

Deep-sea black smokers, which can be several dozen meters in height, are a marvel in the hydrothermal activity zones of the ocean floor. Due to differences in composition and temperature between the mineral-rich fluid and seawater, along with the release of large amounts of hydrogen that form dense black smoke, when it encounters cold seawater, rapid cooling occurs, causing crystallization of minerals carried out from inside, thus forming towering "chimneys" on the sea bed. A latest study by American scientists indicates that deep-sea black smokers may bring mankind an unexpected wealth - natural gas and petroleum products. What surprises the researchers is that these organic molecules are produced through inorganic chemical processes rather than the typical decomposition process of biomass materials. The related paper was published in the February 1st issue of the journal Science.