INGV participates in the communication campaign on the Aeolian Islands promoted by the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and the Aeolian Islands Preservation Fund (AIPF) to draw attention to the resources and risks associated with the delicate underwater hydrothermal systems
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) has joined the information campaign #ProteggiLeEolie aimed at making the Aeolian sea known and raising citizens' awareness of the protection of the marine environment and its biodiversity.
The activities of the Palermo Section of the INGV, in particular, are also dedicated to the study of the so-called "submarine hydrothermal systems", typical of the seabed of the Aeolian arc and appreciable by tourists visiting the Aeolian Islands through the characteristic "bubbles" which on the surface. These risings to the surface of hot waters rich in gas (mainly carbon dioxide) are accompanied by colorful deposits on the seabed made up of a combination of minerals (including zinc and iron) and bacteria capable of synthesizing chemical elements directly from the thermal waters, giving beginning of the chain of life.
"The delicacy of submarine hydrothermal systems, which must be protected in an absolute way, is completely evident, and it is important to remember this on the occasion of information campaigns such as this one" explains Francesco Italiano, Director of the Palermo Section of INGV. “Submarine hydrothermal systems have been recognized as the systems from which life on Earth may have originated. The discoveries of the mid-seventies also showed how ecosystems are established around them even at abysmal depths, in the total absence of light", adds the Director, "Altering these systems would therefore mean interrupting any life cycle with irreparable consequences on life, not only in the marine environment”.
The ability to maintain an ecosystem in balance which, on the one hand, allows the introduction of elements useful for the survival of the microbial communities which supply the primary nourishment to other forms of life and, on the other hand, guarantees the development and maintenance of real breeding areas for numerous species of flora and fauna, should be the basis of any program for the safeguarding and protection of these particular and not very widespread environments.
“The establishment of a submarine hydrothermal system requires as primary condition the presence of a source of thermal energy (generally cooling magmas) and the availability of a transporter of matter and energy towards the surface”, continues Italiano. “The carrier of energy is sea water which, where the permeability conditions allow it to infiltrate in depth, reach the cooling magmatic bodies and circulate inside them, manages to extract heat and chemical elements from the rocks. Submarine hydrothermal systems are therefore the index of the availability of an important resource for man, who can potentially use its geothermal energy”.
Along with energy, which is useful for producing electricity and for numerous other purposes, hydrothermal systems are known to be real mines. The deposits and hydrothermal vents in fact contain numerous minerals such as copper, zinc, silver and manganese.
“It should be remembered that such systems can also produce negative effects on the marine environment. In November 2002, for example, off Panarea, the entry of magmatic fluids into a geothermal reservoir caused an underwater explosion. The event, natural and not impossible in an active volcanic area such as that of the Aeolian Islands, had a strong impact on the marine environment of the area around the crater, in which, however, life returned rather quickly", he concludes Francis Italian.
The challenge, therefore, is to draw strength from a constantly evolving system like this, to valorise and appropriately transform these powerful forms of energy potentially capable of making a significant contribution to the socio-economic evolution of our islands.
Photo 1 – Gaseous emissions off the coast of Panarea
Photo 2 – Gas emissions and deposits of various colors in Vulcano. Deposits are often a resource for man
Photo 3 – Hydrothermal deposit of the Aeolian Islands formed by bacteria that synthesize sulfur
Photo 4 – Panarea on November 3, 2002 with the hydrothermal system that generated intense CO2 emissions