Chemical reactions in hydrothermal vent systems are a source of elements (positive values) leaching from the ocean crust to the ocean, and a sink (negative values) for elements removed from seawater and incorporated into the crust. In the chart above, fluxes of elements into and out of seawater caused by hydrothermal activity are compared to element fluxes caused by rivers. Green bars indicate minimum estimates of element fluxes; purple bars represent maximum estimated fluxes. (Adapted from Global Impact of Submarine Hydrothermal Processes, The Final Report, RIDGE/VENTS Workshop, 1994.)
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