Fe-catalyzed sulfide oxidation in hydrothermal plumes is a source of reactive oxygen species to the ocean
Timothy J. Shaw, George W. Luther, Richard E. Rosas, Véronique E. Oldham, Nicole Coffey, John L. Ferry, Dewamunnage M. C. Dias, Mustafa Yücel, Aubin Thibault de Chanvalon
Abstract
dives at the North East Pacific Rise. Hydrogen peroxide inventories in emerging plumes were maintained at levels proportional to the oxygen introduced by mixing with bottom water. Fenton chemistry predicts the production of hydroxyl radical under plume conditions through the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with the abundant reduced Fe in hydrothermal plumes. A model of the hydroxyl radical fate under plume conditions supports the role of plume ROS in the alteration of refractory organic molecules in seawater. The ocean's volume circulates through hydrothermal plumes on timescales similar to the age of refractory dissolved organic carbon. Thus, plume-generated ROS can initiate reactions that may affect global ocean carbon inventories.