Editorial: Understanding ocean ridges, a new frontier for science and development

Seafloor massive sulfide deposits are formed over long periods of time at hydrothermal vents and may be rich in metals including copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver. The authors conclude that ecological data need to be collected over a range of time scales from hours to decades at multiple locations to establish robust baseline information that can be used in monitoring studies to distinguish between natural phenomena and impacts from mining. The unique ecosystems and biodiversity associated with mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vent systems contrast sharply with surrounding deep-sea habitats and both may be increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities including mining and climate change. Data from a wider variety of benthic size classes, including microbes, meiofauna and fish as well as information on inactive sulfide chimneys and the surrounding seabed should be acquired.