Brine pool

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NOAA rendering of a brine pool in the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAA rendering of a brine pool in the Gulf of Mexico.

Brine pools are large areas of brine on the ocean basin near cold seep vents which release methane into the water. These pools are concentrations of water having an extremely high salinity as compared to the surrounding ocean, caused by the motion of large salt deposits through salt tectonics. Methane is also in high concentration in these areas, providing energy by the process of chemosynthesis to creatures which live in the pool's vicinity. These creatures are often extremophiles.[1]

[edit] Characteristics of brine pools

Brine pools are considered "lakes" within the ocean by many oceanographers. This is due to the high salinity of the water in the pool, which prevents water of lower salinity from entering and creates a distinct surface and shoreline for the pool.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Extremophile life near brine pools
  2. ^ NOAA exploration of a brine pool
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