Question

Hydrothermal vents form deep in the ocean when iron-rich magma is released from openings on the seafloor. These vents spew extremely hot water (400°C) mixed with methane and sulfur. Bacteria that thrive in this hostile environment form the base of a food chain that leads to colonization by tube worms, mussels, and many other life-forms. When a hydrothermal vent becomes inactive and cold, the bacterial community that lives in the hot fluid methane and sulfur dies out. Which organisms most likely succeed the original community in this ecosystem? What kind of traits would an organism need to have to survive when vents become inactive?​

Answer 1

The organisms that succeed the original community in a hydrothermal vent ecosystem when it becomes inactive are bacteria that can tolerate the new conditions. Organisms would need traits such as the ability to tolerate low temperatures and obtain energy from alternative sources to survive.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organisms that most likely succeed the original community in a hydrothermal vent ecosystem when it becomes inactive and cold are the organisms that can tolerate the new conditions. These organisms are usually different species of bacteria that are adapted to survive in low-temperature environments. They utilize different energy sources, such as organic material that sinks from the ocean's surface.

To survive when hydrothermal vents become inactive, organisms would need to have certain traits. These traits include the ability to tolerate low temperatures, the ability to obtain energy from alternative sources, and the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Overall, the new community that replaces the original community in a hydrothermal vent ecosystem consists of bacteria and other organisms that are adapted to survive in cold and low-energy environments.