Data streamed in real-time from sensors on board the DSL120 are displayed on a monitor in the control van. Among the measurements displayed are changes in redox (electrical) potential of the surrounding seawater. The redox potential (Eh) of waters sampled by sensors on the DSL120 often drops when the sensor passes through a hydrothermal plume. A drop in the Eh, like you see here, means that there are more free electrons in the water produced by enrichment of seawater in dissolved metals and chemicals billowing out of hydrothermal vents. Image courtesy of UCSB, Univ. S. Carolina, NOAA, WHOI.
Related Links
GalAPAGoS: Where Ridge Meets Hotspot
GalAPAGoS: Where Ridge Meets Hotspot - Dec 8 Log
