Conclusions

Abstract

The recent 10 years are characterized by a marked success in our knowledge of the marine trace metal biogeochemistry, resulted from the International GEOTRACES Program (http://www.geotraces.org) ocean basin transects, including the areas of the mid-ocean ridges. Meanwhile, it is the authors’ opinion that now it’s time to summarize available data on trace metal biogeochemistry in the deep ocean hydrothermal vent ecosystems. In this book we aimed to outline some features that control processes of metal input from the deep-sea hydrothermal vents followed by their transport, dispersion in the ambient seawater, and biological accumulation. An important contribution in the biogeochemical research is associated with knowledge of the biological structure of bottom fauna inhabiting vent areas, as well as with deep biosphere of the subseafloor igneous crust. Some outlooks for the future research are proposed.