The ocean is dynamic and the ocean floor at a mid-ocean ridge has an irregular topography. So, our elevator drifted in the northwesterly current much further than we predicted. Moreover, it landed on a very steep slope a fair distance from our target. It took 2 hours for Jason to find the elevator and then more time was spent during the evening moving the elevator to a convenient location 70 meters to the SW of where we planned to do most of our sampling. That effort paid off tremendously, as it is just a quick ‘skip and a jump’ between our sampling sites and the elevator so work could continue in an efficient manner through the night. 

Our initial sampling took place in a very tight spot, with high temperature vents spewing fluids of >300°C all around Jason. It was a spectacular place- a steep slope of soft hydrothermal sediments with hues of orange, yellow, white and rust, pock-marked with belching turbulent black ‘smokers’.

Our sampling strategy was to first collect the ‘chimney’ which is the pipe like structure from which the hot fluid emanates on the seafloor. The chimney forms as minerals precipitate when the hot fluid mixes with the very cold seawater around it.  This sample will be used for microbiological studies. These samples are much more fragile than chimneys we have collected elsewhere at deep-sea vents, and so every tiny fragment collected will be very precious.

Numerous high temperature fluids (up to 360°C!) were collected for chemical analyses. Some of these analyses, such as dissolved gases, pH, and dissolved sulfide will be done immediately in the shipboard laboratory whereas other analyses will be performed after the expedition in shore-based labs.Kang Ding and Bill Seyfried were also able to measure the pH and dissolved hydrogen gas in these fluids directly using their chemical sensor that is affectionately called “The Ghost Buster”.

On this Jason dive we tested a new sampling device that will measure organic material in the fluids.  To our relief, this sampler worked!! In between sampling occasions, Jason had to return to the elevator to replace the full water bottles with empty ones, and pick up more sensors and instruments. It was an active and busy first full day of Jason operations for our research expedition.

The elevator lands on the sea floor

Jason grabs and moves the elevator on the sea floor

Jason approaches an active hot spring

Shrimp gather close to a very hot black smoker

Jason captures hot fluid using the IGT sampler

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