Introduction

Abstract

Over a period of time after discovery in 1977 of the extraordinary abundant faunal assemblages functioning at the deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems, a new knowledge has been gained of highly dynamic and extreme conditions in their habitats. Hydrothermal vent communities have to survive in habitats which are exposed to high heavy metal load, emitting from vents and dispersing into ambient water and changing physicochemical parameters. All these processes are reflected in the distribution pattern of bottom communities along the gradients of reduced substances that serve a basement for chemosynthetic primary productivity. In the book we aimed to summarize available data, which are of fundamental interest for understanding the trace metal biogeochemistry and ecology of biological communities of deep-sea vent systems. Along with, some interesting aspects of the subseafloor biosphere are considered. This book is addressed to the specialists working in various fields of environmental problems, especially in marine biogeochemistry and ecology.