海底黑烟囱成矿过程及其与生命起源研究评述

A summary of the mineralization process of the submarine black smokers and its relationship with the origin of life

1979年在东太平洋中脊发现的海底黑烟囱曾在地球科学和生命科学界同时造成巨大轰动效应,科学家通过对海底黑烟囱的系统研究,系统全面的认识了现代海底热水活动与金属硫化物沉积成矿作用;同时对生活在黑烟囱周围的生物群落的研究极大拓展了人们对生命现象的理解。有人开始提出地球早期生命是海底嗜热生物这一理论,并逐渐被广泛接受,这使得现代海底黑烟囱成为探索和研究生命起源的理想场所。除此之外,古海底黑烟囱也开始被发现,通过对古海底黑烟囱的研究,将之与现代陆地上保存的块状硫化物进行对比,理论上可以解释古老矿产的形成过程,实践上则能够高效指导矿产资源的勘探与开发。因此,本文对海底黑烟囱成矿过程及其与生命起源方面的研究进行了综合述评,旨在探究其重要科学意义。

The submarine black smokers were found in the east Pacific mid-ocean ridge in 1979,bringing a significant impact on the earth science community and the life science community. After the systematic researches on the black smokers by scientists,it becomes clear about the modern seafloor hydrothermal activity and metal sulfide deposit mineralization. Besides,the research about the organisms surrounding the black smokers broadened our view on the life phenomenon. Someone put forward the theory the early life in the earth was the thermophilic bacteria. Now,this theory is gradually accepted by public,making the black smokers become the hot area for exploring and researching of the origin of life. What's more,ancient submarine black smokers are also discovered. Through the research on the ancient black smokers and the contrast between it and massive sulfide on the land,it could be explained how the ancient mineral deposits formed theoretically and could directly help guide the mineral exploration and development. So,this article gives a integrated review on the mineralization process of the submarine black smokers and its relationship with the origin of life,aiming at exploring its scientific significance.