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pugworthy • yesterday at 8:53 PM • 2 replies • view on HN

My first thought was to wonder what the impact is on existing hydrothermal ecosystems.

The Axial Seamount area is not at all some dead barren zone we can just tap into without concern for ecological harm. Hydrothermal vent areas are very vibrant ecosystems that influence deep ocean ecology in ways we already understand, and probably ways we don't yet understand.

I am glad to see in their press release [1] they do mention careful selection of sites, conditions for operation, and ecological monitoring. And the area is already the focus of oceanographic research by various institutions.

[1] https://www.enduranceenergy.com/press/adelie


Replies

nashashmi • today at 3:34 AM

But theoretically, what impact would you anticipate? I feel that the heat will be lost into the environment anyway so it wont eliminate deep sea life.

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aaron695 • yesterday at 9:58 PM

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